The Klinkhåmer Fly

A very unique modern day fly

First tied in the 1980's by Hans van Klinken (the flies original designer) the Klinkhåmer has been slow to catch on in the US even though it was originally tied almost 40 years ago. It is a very effective fly prior to or during a hatch.  With the fly floating half above water and half below, it makes a very nice emerger pattern. Klinkhåmers are different than most parachute flies which are tied on a straight shank hook and mostly rides on the waters surface.

Using the "proper hook" is one of the most important designs of the fly. It was originally tied on a Partridge Klinkhåmer GRS15ST, 15BN and 15BNX. Hans van Klinken said" After 30 years working very close together with Partridge of Reddish I sadly broke up all cooperation when it turned out that I couldn’t work together with the new owner. Partridge changed the original hook design after the compant was sold. Hans used his old original prints and drawings and got together with Daiichi to re-produce his original hook design. The Daiichi Klinkhåmer hook models are the 1160 and 1167.

Many fly tyers try tying the Klinkhåmer on a standard scud hook or other similar  style but the hook design doesn't allow for proper hooking of the fish. The Daiichi 1160 or 1167 are the correct design according to Hans van Klinken. I have also looked at the Orvis Klinkhåmer hook model number A800 and it lookd correct. The Orvis hook may be a repackaged Daiichi hook. Using the wrong hook will cause you missed fish. The gap on the KlinkHåmer Daiichi hook ( 1160 & 1167 ) is the correct gap for the style of fly.

The fly can be tied in various sizes and body colors to match the hatch at your local stream. The fly is effective on both moving and still water.

  • Hook: Klinkhåmer style size 12-18
  • Thread: 8/0-12/0 color to match the body
  • Abdomen: Tan Dry Fly Dubbing or to match insect color
  • Thorax: Peacock Herl
  • Hackle: Dry Fly Hackle in Dun, Grizzly, Cream or Ginger
  • Wing Post: Antron Floating Yarn 

 


 

Klinkhåmer Biot Body

As shown on the left, Klinkhåmers can also be tied using a biot body, although they are a bit harder to wrap with the curved hook.

Another body method you could also use is like you would when tying a Quill Gordon or a Red Quill. The wrapped quill looks great.
 

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