Mayfly Emergers: Fuzzy or smooth bodied

[Byron haugh]

One would think emergers would either have raised "fuzzy" ribbing or be smooth bodied.....

However, folks imitate them both ways.

If you wrap a turkey or goose biot with the shiny side out, you get a raised, "fuzzy" ribbed body.

If you wrap with the dull side out, you get a smooth, but ribbed, body.

Which do you think most closely resembles the emerging mayfly. I'm not talking about a swimming nymph. I'm talking about an emerger at the surface, but not yet an escaped dun.

[Gene]

I tie them as Rene Harrop ties them with turkey biot and rib showing for my emergers.

Gene

[NJTroutbum]

as a general rule, showing for emergers and nymphs and smooth for dries.

[kglissmeyer]

I tie them both ways and the fish seem to like them so I always let the fish be the judge.

KG's EPF PMD Emerger - fuzzy:


KG's EPF PMD Emerger - smooth:


The fish like both equally...

[Jayatwork]

I tie them rib out. My reasoning is that if it's still in the shuck, the gills will be present.

[whatfly]

Without rib, but that is merely my personal preference. Both methods work fine.