User Friendly Green Drake 02/09/2026 Photo Album

My initiation to the user friendly green drake is described in detail in my post of 01/31/2019. In addition, a materials table is provided. Like the other green drakes, I experienced mixed levels of success with this fly, and I generally resorted to it as my fourth and final option during green drake hatches.

Moose Mane Tail

All that changed in the summer of 2025. On two separate trips with my friend, Nate, and son, Dan, I gave them a user friendly, and they both began to hook and land fish after fish. Upon witnessing these success stories, I switched to a user friendly and generated similar levels of interest.

Big Wing

Given the revival in the user friendly, I decided to devote time to tying some fresh versions for the 2026 green drake season. In addition, I made some modifications. As was the case with the other styles of western green drake, I substituted moose mane fibers for the tail. I am going all in on moose mane tails for green drakes. For the wing I used white McFlylon (poly), and I left the wing higher and fuller than previously. These user friendlies look great, and I am very excited to test them. The narrow strip of foam adds buoyancy, and if the fly performs as it did in 2025, I may have a new long floating green drake imitation.

Five for the Fly Box

I tied five brand new user friendlies with my modified materials recipe. Bring on the green drakes.