| Notes: Cripples represent mayflies that are just emerging or got
stuck in it's shuck. Bob Quigley came up with this pattern in the early
1980's while he was fishing Fall River in Northern California. Bob's Cripple patterns are
distinguished with a forward Wing, usually of Deer Hair, extending over the eye of the hook and the butt of the wing
trimmed in line with a dubbed thorax to represent an emerging dun and the rear portion of tail, usually Marabou tips, and
abdomen that is tied to represent the trailing shuck as the mayfly has pulled free from it's nymphal body. The intent
is to have the top half of the fly reside above water while the bottom half hangs within the water column. Initially, Bob
tied this pattern to a standard Dry Fly hook such as a TMC 100 or 101. However, curved hooks such as a TMC 2312 or 2302
were used to give the fly a more natural posture. Some will even tie this pattern onto a Scud type hook such as a
TMC 2487.
Since the pattern can be devised for a wide range of Mayflies and Caddis, the types of materials one uses is also widely
diverse. The tail is usually made up of Marabou tips that are thick with barbules. At times, Antron Yarn or Z-lon are
substituted to give the fly more durability or you could us Ostrich Herl, Emu, Pheasant Tail fibers or Wood Duck Fibers for
a better imitation. A rib is generally used when the abdomen is made of herl or marabou, such as a fine gold wire of medium
gauge for sizes #12-14 or a small gauge for sizes #16 and smaller. Marabou is preferred by Bob for the abdomen to give a sense
of gills to the fly. This is a good material for sizes #14 or larger. For smaller mayflies, a thinner body made of Turkey or
Goose biots, Pheasant Tail fibers, or stripped Hackle quills can be a better choice. The thorax is usually made of Superfine
dubbing according to the color of the mayfly. This is particularly good to use on the smaller sizes. For larger sizes and
large mayflies, Bob also uses spun Deer Hair or foam to provide better floatation.The Wing is that portion of the adult
that is free to manuever but is trapped. Usually the wing will be natural or dyed Deer Hair but CDC and Elk Hair have
also been used. The hackle is usually a natural or dyed Grizzly. Bob prefers to use 3-4 turns of hackle on flies used
within slow water situations and 6-8 turns for fast water.
Bob will also split the wing with a figure eight wrap so that the wings are at a 45 degree angle to the shank. When tied this
way it is known as a Fluttering Cripple. As the season progresses go to smaller and darker pattern colors. Apply
floatant only to the wing portion of this fly in order for the body to become subsurface. You can also try to use rubberlegs
to provide more action to the fly.
An excellent variation of the Quigley Cripple is the Last Chance Cripple designed by Rene and Bonnie Harrop
of St. Anthony, Idaho. The wing is made up of 2 CDC feathers
and the body is either goose or turkey biots. The tail uses Mallard or Wood Duck strands under a small amount of dubbing
or z-lon. The Last Chance Cripple is part of the Harrop's mayfly series which include CDC Biot
Thorax, CDC Biot Dun, CDC Captive Dun , CDC Biot Emerger, and
CDC Para-spinner. |
