Big Dry Flies for Fast Water - 1984 was a good year for fly fishermen, and for one particular Dutchman, Hans van Klinken, it was an extremely good year. It was the year he conceived the now famous Klinkhåmer, a large curved, juicy looking 'insect', which dangles from the surface film, with a big visible wing post.
It is a universal fly, it copies everything, and nothing in particular! This pattern has an unbelievable ability is to bring fish up out of the blue. Hans had created a masterpiece! It is a low maintenance fly, floats superbly, even after being pulled under by a trout or grayling. All that is usually needed, are a few good cheeks full of air and you're out fishing again. It's also a straightforward tying exercise, even for beginners.
In my opinion, the Klinkhåmer has made the biggest impact on river fly fishing in my lifetime. There are two more fast water dry fly patterns which I would not be without. Roman Moser's Balloon Caddis and my own Tape Wing Caddis, both can bring fish up in riffles, but really come into their own when fish are keyed on to caddis flies - emerging or egg laying.