Klinkhamer Special (presented by Alex Blaque)

History: This pattern was designed and first tied by Hans van Klinken in 1984. The L T Caddis however was given the now recognized name ‘Klinkhåmer Special’ by his colleague Hans de Groot. Other tyers including Tomas Olsen & Roy Richardson are credited by Hans for similar solutions but this particular emerger pattern is Hans’ own work.

Uses: The Klinkhåmer Special, or as it’s often known, or even just Klink, is a very popular originating from Western Europe. Tied with a parachute hackle, it is an emerging caddis pattern fished during corresponding hatches. Colour and size variations of the fly adapt it for use during other hatches and make it useful as a searching fly in a similar way to the . The Klinkhåmer Special is traditionally a and grayling pattern but should be considered for all kinds of situations where will rise to a fly; it’s certainly been used to take and I’ve caught some good size chub with it.

How to fish: Originally fished to best effect by it’s author using a ‘downstream’ presentation, the pattern is effective when presented using any standard dry fly technique. Effective for trout, grayling, and any free rising species.

Recipe: Hook: 8 - 20 15BN or 15BNX or Orvis Klinkhammer 8A00 or a curved caddis hook : Grey or Tan Body: Fly-Rite poly 2 dubbing light-tan or to suit Wing: White poly- Hackle: Blue-dun cock hackle Thorax: Peacock herl

Variations: The hooks 15BN and 15BNX are the current patterns from Partridge. The 15BN requires a bend to be put in the shank, while the 15BNX has the bend already formed. The first hook was a KB2 but van Klinken settled on the Partridge GRS15ST in sizes 8-18. In sizes 6 and 4 he uses the Partridge CS54. The materials listed in the recipe follow the original but omits Spiderweb. The fly illustrated was tied in one pass, tying off the hackle with the same thread the fly was started with. However when Hans ties the fly he winds the hackle in a second stage and uses Spiderweb to secure it.

How to Tie: Here is a link for a video of the Klinkhammer by the man himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBHQ1riBiMk.

Here's a link to a comprehensive article written by Hans van Klinken regarding the full history and provenance of the fly: http://www.tomsutcliffe.co.za/fly-fishing/fly-tying/item/248-hans-van- klinken-on-his-klinkhamer-special.html. Detailed illustrated tying instructions are included at the end of this article.