Take a Klinkhammer type hook (I have used a Hanak XXX. For equivalents in other brands, check out our hook database ). Lay down a thread base. With this type of hook take the threat down the bend a fair way as shown.

Tie in some coral pink colored Hi-Vis or Tiemco Aerowing parallel to the hook shank.

Once that's tied down, wrap around the base horizontally to form a vertical post.

Tie in some silver wire at the post and then wrap over the wire down towards the hook bend covering up the wire with the thread. Then wrap back up to the base of the post building up a slender thread body. Bring the thread back to the base of the post.

Rib the body with the wire with even-spaced wraps then tie off the wire and break off (don't cut) the surplus wire off. To find out how to do this check out the video below - basically, you do it by wiggling it back and forth to weaken it. Then tie in the hackle with the shiny side down and wrap up the post

Using the black Superfine Dry Fly dubbing create the thorax by wrapping it before and after the post.

Once the thorax is done return the thread to above the base of the post and wrap three turns of the hackle around the post, each one lower down the post than the previous. Tie off with three wraps of the thread (one above and two below the excess hackle) then trim the hackle. Pinching the hackle fibers so none get trapped, take the thread forward to the eye, and tie a thread head before whip finishing. Trim the post to length and you are done!

Tying the Bassano Klinkhammer

The Bassano Klinkhammer is the brainchild of Tasmanian tyer and guide Chris Bassano. It is a great pattern imitating various stages of the mayfly life cycle – slender enough to pass for a spinner, sits in the water column like an emerger but floats high enough to be a dun.

The fly has been used to very good effect by tournament anglers and has accounted for many large brown trout in Tasmania. Fish it as a stand-alone dry in a hatch or suspend a small nymph or stick caddis under it at a pinch to give two shots at getting a take.

Table of Contents

Materials List:

Hanak Klimhammer hook (H390 BL) #10 – #16 (if you can’t find this exact hook, try our database for an alternative in another brand)
Black 8/0 thread
Fine silver wire
Coral pink Hi-Vis or Tiemco Aerowing or similar post material
Black saddle hackle feather

Tying Instructions – The Bassano Klinkhammer

Step 1

Take a Klinkhammer type hook (I have used a Hanak XXX. For equivalents in other brands, check out our hook database). Lay down a thread base. With this type of hook take the threat down the bend a fair way as shown.
Step 2

Tie in some coral pink colored Hi-Vis or Tiemco Aerowing parallel to the hook shank.
Step 3

Once that’s tied down, wrap around the base horizontally to form a vertical post.
Step 4

Tie in some silver wire at the post and then wrap over the wire down towards the hook bend covering up the wire with the thread. Then wrap back up to the base of the post building up a slender thread body. Bring the thread back to the base of the post.
Step 5

Rib the body with the wire with even-spaced wraps then tie off the wire and break off (don’t cut) the surplus wire off. To find out how to do this check out the video below – basically, you do it by wiggling it back and forth to weaken it. Then tie in the hackle with the shiny side down and wrap up the post
Step 6

Using the black Superfine Dry Fly dubbing create the thorax by wrapping it before and after the post.
Step 7

Once the thorax is done return the thread to above the base of the post and wrap three turns of the hackle around the post, each one lower down the post than the previous. Tie off with three wraps of the thread (one above and two below the excess hackle) then trim the hackle. Pinching the hackle fibers so none get trapped, take the thread forward to the eye, and tie a thread head before whip finishing. Trim the post to length and you are done!