Mercer's Missing Link

[@Drew__4]

That's a good looking fly

[@tadgarman8463]

Can I use a finer thread? Like 8/0? 6/0 keeps coming unraveled/splitting when I tie in the spent wings.

[@josephh957]

Yes you can - I use 8/0

[@Brian-fu9um]

I'm thinking that might make a decent gypsy moth imitation as well. :-)

[@User-es2yz]

I think I have seen Kelly G do it with a dubbing body and a little bit more materials for “floatability”. Looks like a great pattern.

[@thewinesmith]

It's a proven pattern. I'll vouche for it haha.

[@paulfortier5667]

I have seen this fly in sizes 12 and 14 .. what other sizes would this fly be good in?

[@PAPIGOOSE1]

Paul Fortier how small can you tie. I can see it as a cripple/ spinner for mayflies so 18/22? Flying ant, moth, any bug that splays out. Which is anything with wings whether they fly or not.

[@Belbivdevoe]

Elk hair? Why not short fine deer hair?

[@No_NetMan]

I assume you want the hair to be hollow enough the splay out under thread tension. You might break your thread trying to replicate that with short fine. Either way, you should give it a go and see if you like it!

[@nicholasgiffin847]

this is a fish catching fly need to have all sizes 12 to 18