PMD Sparkle Dun
The PMD is the most dependable summer hatch on Western tailwaters like the Madison, Green River, and Bighorn. Hatches begin mid-morning and may last into afternoon. The Sparkle Dun rides in the film and imitates the partially emerged adult, which is often what selective fish are keying on. Match the yellow-olive body exactly — color matters enormously during PMD hatches.
- Type
- dry fly (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #16–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #16–18
- thread: Yellow 8/0
- tail: Pale yellow Antron yarn (trailing shuck)
- body: Pale yellow or pale olive-yellow dubbing
- wing: Natural deer hair, fanned upright
Tying steps
- Mount a size 16–18 dry fly hook; attach pale yellow Antron yarn at the bend as a short trailing shuck.
- Dub a slim pale yellow or pale olive-yellow body to the 2/3 mark.
- Cut a small bunch of natural deer hair, clean underfur, and align tips.
- Tie in the deer hair at the 2/3 mark and fan it into a 180-degree half-circle wing.
- Make 4 tight wraps at the base to lock the wing fan upright.
- Trim the deer hair butts at a taper to form a smooth head.
- Whip finish and apply a drop of UV resin to the wing base.
- Inspect the deer hair wing from the front — it should be a flat, untwisted half-circle fan with no bunching or crossed fibers at the tie-in point.