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SULPHUR DUN 

By Chip Chipman 

Beginning fly-fishing anglers always have difficulty identifying the flies in their fly boxes. I was no exception. Many of them look alike, but on closer examination, there are subtle differences. 

A fly can have a body the same color as another, but the hackle may be a different color or vice-versa. The color of the wings can be different as well as the tail. But after a while, the flies you use the most are like old friends and you remember their names.

Harvey and I were fishing the upper Machias River, several miles from the small Maine town where we lived. Harvey was my fly-fishing mentor when I was a teenager. When we arrived at the area we intended to fish, Harvey observed the river for several minutes. 

“Let’s tie on a Sulphur Dun,” he said. 

I opened my fly box and most of them looked the same. “Ah, which one is that?” I asked.  

“It has a yellowish body,” he replied. 

“I have several that meet that description,” I said. 

“You want the one that’s baby-poop yellow.” 

“I’m not familiar with that particular shade, Harvey.” 

“Your time will come” he said, “ Let me look at what you have.” 

He pointed to the Sulphur Dun, “that one right there.” 

Over the next few years, I learned a few other shades of colors from Harvey that you will never find in a box of Crayolas. 

Many years later, I was changing the diaper on my newly arrived daughter, Jane. I put her on her back, undid the diaper, and lifted her legs. 

My time had come. “Sulphur Dun!” 

Harvey, as always, had been right.