Why is this pattern so rare? (The Alder dry fly)

The Alder wet fly has been around for centuries. It appeared in Mary Orvis Marbury’s “Favorite Flies” of 1892, and was likely one of the patterns mentioned in Dame Julianna Berners’ “A Treatise of Fishing with an Angle” from 1496. However, the dry fly version of the pattern is rarely tied. Which is a shame as the pattern could certainly be an effective trout fly.

Hook: #12-14 dry fly
Thread: Black
Body: Peacock herl
Wing: Bronze mallard feathers
Hackle: Black

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