This is one of the best imitations for our early season hatches of what are sometimes called Paraleps, Little Blue Quills, or Little Red Quills. It’s a prolific hatch that fish often prefer over bigger Hendricksons or Quill Gordons. Here is the pattern recipe:
Paralep Sparkle Dun
Hook: Size 18
Thread: Red or brown
Shuck: Dark brown Z-Lon or Antron
Body: Either reddish brown quill with reddish brown dubbing thorax or all reddish brown dubbing
Wing: Deer hair