Klinkhammer Special
The curved-shank emerger that hangs in the film like the real thing.
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.
History & Lore
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.
Variations
CDC Klinkhammer
CDC wing replaces poly post for a more natural silhouette.
Klinkhammer BWO
Olive body version specifically for Baetis hatches.
Klinkhammer Caddis
Tan/amber body for caddis emergence.
How to Fish It
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.
When to Use
During any emergence event. Particularly deadly in slower currents where trout can inspect flies closely, and when standard dries are being refused.
Materials
- Hook
- TMC 2487 or Partridge K4A, #12-18, curved emerger
- Thread
- Uni 8/0, olive or tan
- Post
- Poly yarn, white or fluorescent
- Abdomen
- Fine dubbing, olive or tan (Fly-Rite or similar)
- Thorax
- Peacock herl
- Hackle
- Grizzly or dun, parachute style
Tying Video
Tying Steps
Place a curved emerger hook in the vise. Start thread and tie in a poly yarn post at the midpoint of the shank.
💡 The post should be about 1.5x the hook gap in height.
Wrap thread to the bend and dub a tapered abdomen of fine dubbing.
💡 This abdomen hangs below the surface — match color to the natural.
Tie in a hackle at the base of the post.
💡 Select a hackle one size larger than standard for the hook size.
Dub a thorax of peacock herl or dark dubbing around the base of the post.
💡 The thorax should be slightly bulkier than the abdomen.
Wrap the hackle parachute-style around the post base, 3-4 turns.
💡 Parachute hackle keeps the fly in the film, not on top of it.
Secure hackle, whip finish at the eye, and trim the post to desired height.
💡 Leave the post visible — it's your strike indicator on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Klinkhammer Special should I use?
The Klinkhammer Special is most commonly tied in sizes 12–18. During any emergence event. Particularly deadly in slower currents where trout can inspect flies closely, and when standard dries are being refused.
What does a Klinkhammer Special imitate?
The Klinkhammer Special primarily imitates mayfly emergers, caddis emergers, midge emergers. Fish the Klinkhammer dead drift during mayfly and caddis emergence. Its profile is unique — trout see the submerged abdomen from below, exactly as the
What materials do I need to tie a Klinkhammer Special?
Key materials include: Hook, Thread, Post, Abdomen, Thorax, Hackle. On a curved emerger hook, tie a dubbed abdomen that hangs below the film, a poly yarn parachute post
How do you fish a Klinkhammer Special?
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.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Emergers
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Olive, Tan, Gray
- Hook Styles
- Curved emerger hook
- Imitates
- mayfly emergers, caddis emergers, midge emergers
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater, spring creek
- Origin
- Hans van Klinken, 1980s, Scandinavia
Target Species
Pattern Details
- Category
- Emergers
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Olive, Tan, Gray
- Hook Styles
- Curved emerger hook
- Imitates
- mayfly emergers, caddis emergers, midge emergers
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater, spring creek
- Origin
- Hans van Klinken, 1980s, Scandinavia