The Salmon Flies are hatching at Melrose on the Big Hole today. That means it's only a week or two before the Green Drakes show up in Idaho. And a bit less than a month before they show up on my home river. The Gallatin.
Green Drakes are big mayflies. But not necessarily as big as so many of the big bushy dry fly imitations that show up in the shops. This one is supposed to be easy to tie, sparsely tied and lightweight with a gentle landing, a good floater and quick to dry off. This pattern has worked well for me as a PMD imitation and as an ultra-tiny Blue Winged Olive pattern. How it fishes as a Green Drake remains to be seen.
It's about a #10 or #12 dry fly tied on a #18 scud hook. Which really seems to help it land slowly and gently. And to stay afloat. The duck flank wing isn't as beautiful as CDC. But it dries off and cleans up a lot easier after catching a fish.
#18 scud hook
Olive died duck flank as the abdomen, tied in as the tip of the whole feather
Gray Duck flank wing
Zelon hackle ...... two horizontal wraps from the base of the tail and up to the eye, around the eye and back again bastes the flat hackle fibers loosely in place. Glue of some kind (ZapAGap or water based Tear Mender) glues the hackle fibers permanently in place. You can substitute Snow Shoe Rabbit fibers for the Zelon. Even Cottontail Rabbit's foot--if you use the thicker fibers from between the toes.