Cross Special

This is Rube Cross' signature Catskill Dry Fly pattern. I am going to tie it how he describes in his book "Tying American Trout Lures".

Hook: Dry fly hook size 14
Thread: White silk - here YLI 100 size. Well waxed
Wings: Lemon Wood Duck Flank
Hackle: Blue dun
Body: Dubbing rope of white cream fur
Tail: Spade hackle fibers blue dun

Cross does not state the thread color. He was quite detailed and specific about so much it seems odd that the color would not be mentioned unless there was something obvious to those at that time. In speaking with a few experienced Catskill tiers they all felt the likely color used was white. Silk thread was most likely purchased from dress-making shops and white seems an obvious choice for almost all patterns as it would mostly disappear when varnished at the head. But...I don't know the silk color for sure.

The dubbing rope making is not well described in his book but a better explanation is in Ray Bergman's Trout. He says to lay a small amount of dubbing on your knee. Place a well-waxed piece of silk on top of it and roll it like a baker would roll a rolling pin on dough. He suggests this as the best method for someone learning to control the amount of dubbing and make a minimal coating on the silk. Bergman continues that with practice this can be done directly onto the tying silk as you gain more experience and then have one less step. I started to learn to dub by doing it on the tying silk, so I find that easier. For the video though I did make a dubbing rope.

I hope you enjoy.