DOUG SWISHER HAIRWING
Doug Swisher is the father and the inventor of the Hairwing dry fly, or the Comparadun as it is called nowadays. Thus the name – the Doug Swisher Hairwing. Even if the modern version of the fly, the comparadun and the variant Sparkle Dun, has its advantages, it is worth trying. Here’s how to tie the Dough Swisher Hairwing with natural materials only. Fish with historical confidence.
The Comparadun, or the Hairwing, saw the light in 1965 according to Doug Swisher. A fly that pretty much is tied the same way today 50 years later. Although we usually tie the fly with improved materials now, I still like tying a couple of the originals to accompany those with fibettes, biots and artificial materials.
It’s really no point tying it if you’re not nostalgic. The deer hairs in the tail are weak, and will last only one or two takes before it needs to be replaced. But being fond of catching with the original patterns, I always carry a couple of those Hairwings with me in the box.
Hook: Hends BL 454, size 12-16
Thread: UNI 8/0 Olive Dun
Wing: Costal Deer Hair
Tail: Costal Deer Hair
Abdomen and Torax: Pale Olive Musk-Rat, Grey Squirrel, Brown Squirrel (50-25-25)
Materials are listed in order of tying.
Dry dip and dead drift.
