Flyfishing the Sierras

Burk's Hunchback Infrequens (HBI)

spacer Burk's Hunchback Infrequens
Tying Instructions
Materials:
  • Hook: TMC 2487 #12-22
  • Thread: Orange 8/0
  • Ribbing: Orange Thread 8/0
  • Body: Rabbit Dubbing Blend, 70% Rusty Brown Rabbit, 15% Hot Orange Rabbit, and 15% Light Olive Brown Rabbit
  • Tail: Wood Duck
  • Wingcase: Dark Mottled Turkey Tail
  • Thorax: Rusty Brown Rabbit Dubbing Blend
  • Legs: Wood Duck

Notes: This fly was originated by Andy Burk for PMD hatches on the Fall River in Northeastern California. Andy worked as a guide and noticed a drop-off on the hits of Pheasant Tail Nymphs. He discovered that the trout became accustomed to the PTN and declined the offering. Part of the problem was translucency and a hunchback configuration. Andy resolved this by selecting a scud-type hook and utilizing a rust-colored rabbit dubbing that matched the nymphs color but also gave a fibrous translucency to the fly. The fly is used as a primary nymph pattern for PMD's but can also be used for Baetis hatches. Use of a Scud-type hook is also found on John Barr's Emerger and is excellent in producing the natural curvature of the nymph. Use of a rabbit blend is also found in many excellent nymphal patterns such as Kauffman's Nymphs. The blends give a more realistic coloration and the rabbit dubbing will sink easily into the water column. Andy found the the naturals had a rusty orange color that had a translucent quality. By applying the dubbing in a somewhat loose wrap, the appearance of translucency is achieved.

Variations:

HBI-Tan
Tab HBI
Materials:
  • Hook: TMC 2487 #12-22
  • Thread: Orange 8/0
  • Ribbing: Orange Thread 8/0
  • Body: Rabbit Dubbing Blend, 70% Natural Rabbit, 15% Hot Orange Rabbit, and 15% Light Olive Brown Rabbit
  • Tail: Wood Duck
  • Wingcase: Light Mottled Turkey Tail
  • Thorax: Rabbit Dubbing Blend, 70% Natural Rabbit, 15% Hot Orange Rabbit, and 15% Light Olive Brown Rabbit
  • Legs: Wood Duck
Crystal HBI
Crystal HBI
Materials:
  • Hook: TMC 2487 #12-22
  • Thread: Orange 8/0
  • Ribbing: Olive Krystal Flash
  • Tag: Olive Kyrstal Flash
  • Body: Rabbit Dubbing Blend, 70% Rusty Brown Rabbit, 15% Hot Orange Rabbit, and 15% Light Olive Brown Rabbit
  • Tail: Wood Duck
  • Wingcase: Light Mottled Turkey Tail
  • Thorax: Rabbit Dubbing Blend, 70% Rust Brown Rabbit, 15% Hot Orange Rabbit, and 15% Light Olive Brown Rabbit
  • Legs: Wood Duck and Olive Krystal Flash
©2007 Steve Schalla
This page is not to be copied without my explicit permission.

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