One of my favourite flies to tie, the rat faced Mc dougal. This is a Harry and Elise Darby pattern. Although it was originally tied with grizzle hackle tip wings, Harry Darby said he preferred fishing it with calf tail wings as it was more visible at a distance. The original body was also just natural spun deer hair but here I have given it a natural white underside. The tail is also deer hair, but from the summer coat of the European roe deer. Although it requires a little skill to tie correctly it’s well worth doing, a very satisfying pattern to tie, and not forgetting a great pattern to fish! Give it a go…

Rat Faced Mc dougal pattern recipe

• Hook: Mustad R30NP-BR  # 12
• Tying thread: Brown
• Body: Natural grey and white deer hair
• Tail: Deer hair from summer coat
• Wing: White calf tail
• Hackle: Red brown cock