emerger
Klinkhammer Special
Hans van Klinken's Klinkhammer Special is a revolutionary emerger design that uses a curved hook shank to suspend the abdomen below the surface while the thorax and parachute hackle ride in the film. This creates an exact profile of an emerging mayfly or caddis, with the body dangling enticingly where trout expect to see it.
Originated by Hans van Klinken, 1980s, Scandinavia
Recipe
- HookKlinkhammer hook (TMC 2487)
- ThreadTan tying thread 8/0 or 70 denier · Veevus
- BodyFine olive or tan Antron dubbing · Wapsi
- WingWhite poly yarn post
- HackleBlue dun parachute dry-fly hackle
- BodyPeacock herl (thorax) · Hareline
History
Hans van Klinken designed the Klinkhammer in the 1980s while fishing Scandinavian grayling rivers. Frustrated by trout and grayling ignoring conventional dries during emergence, he developed the curved-shank, parachute-style emerger that would hang in the film with a submerged abdomen. It quickly became one of Europe's most important patterns.
Tying overview
On a curved emerger hook, tie a dubbed abdomen that hangs below the film, a poly yarn parachute post, and hackle wrapped parachute-style around the post at the thorax.
Fishing tips
Fish the Klinkhammer dead drift during mayfly and caddis emergence. Its profile is unique — trout see the submerged abdomen from below, exactly as they see a real emerger. It is especially effective for grayling and selective brown trout that refuse conventional dries.