Comparadun
Imitates: Adult mayfly dun (PMD, BWO, March Brown, Sulphur)
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #12-20
- Best Season
- Spring through Fall
- Best Conditions
- Flat water, spring creeks, selective trout
- Water Temp
- 50-68°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 5X-6X
How to Rig It
Single dry on a long leader. Use 9-12 ft leaders to flat-water fish.
How to Present It
Drag-free drift over the riser. The 180-degree fan wing creates a perfect mayfly silhouette without hackle to spook flat-water fish.
Why It Works
No hackle means it sits flush in the film — the silhouette of a real dun. The deer hair wing fans out 180 degrees so the fly stays upright and visible without disturbing the surface.
History
Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi developed the Comparadun in the 1970s for spring creek fish in the East. Their book 'Hatches' codified this style of hackleless dry.
Pro Tip
Use the smallest hi-vis post you can see. On flat water, the trout will eat the natural silhouette over a hackled dry every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why no hackle on a Comparadun?+
Hackle props the fly above the water and creates a footprint trout reject on calm water. Hackleless flies sit flush like a real dun.
When should I fish a Comparadun vs a Parachute Adams?+
Comparadun for selective flat-water fish. Parachute for broken water where you need visibility and float.
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