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Fly Tier's Bench: AK's Melon Quill PMD Dry Fly

From his iconic Melon Quill PMD dry fly to groundbreaking techniques like stripping and dyeing hackle quills, legendary fly tyer A.K. Best’s artistry elevated traditional patterns into lifelike imitations that continue to inspire anglers today. Charlie Craven shares personal encounters, fly tying history, and a fly-tying tutorial for one of his most famous patterns, the aforementioned Melon Quill. 

AK’s Melon Quill Recipe

  • Hook: TMC 100
  • Thread: Magpie Materials 72 Denier Deep Yellow
  • Tail: Dark Dun Spade Hackle Fibers
  • Wing: Medium Dun “Winger” Hen Cape Feathers
  • Body: Stripped and Dyed Chinese Rooster Neck Quills
  • Hackle: Ginger Rooster Neck Hackle
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