EMERGERS
The emergent stages of the caddisfly and
the midge have to be specifically imitated
because of the brightness of the air inside
a clear pupal sheath. General patterns fail
miserably when trout are selectively feeding
on the pupal stage of either insect. This is
true in streams, where fish have to make a
decision quickly, and even more true in lakes,
where fish can perch under and study an artificial
fly for as long as they want.
Bead Head Deep Sparkle Pupa
HOOK: 8-16; TMC 3761 —IX long and 2X heavy nymph
hook
OVERBODY: Antron yarn (pulled in a loose and sparse
bubble around the fly)
UNDERBODY: Antron dubbing (touch dubbed)
WINGS: soft hackle fibers (along each side
of the body)
HEAD: brass bead
This pattern is fished with a sink-tip line.
The bead-head version of the Deep Sparkle Pupa,
with long, steady pulls on the retrieve, rises
up through the water like the natural swimming
to the surface. This fly also works well with
a floating line and the Hang-and-Bob technique.
Emergent Sparkle Pupa
HOOK: 8-22; TMC 100—standard dry fly hook
OVERBODY: Antron yarn (pulled in a loose and sparse
bubble around the fly)
UNDERBODY: Antron dubbing (touch dubbed)
WING: deer or elk hair
HEAD: natural or synthetic fur (noodle dubbed)
This was the first fly to use Antron, the bright,
multi-sided nylon that matches the air carried by
the emerging insect inside the pupal sheath.
Antron does more than just reflect light—it
also attracts natural air bubbles. As a result
the Emergent Sparkle Pupa, half in and half out
of the surface film, becomes a glittering ball
of silver with splotches of color. It becomes
the rarest of artificials, a fly that is both
an imitation and an attractor at the same time.
It draws trout from a wide area, but then when
they get near the Emergent Sparkle Pupa they
don't hesitate in sucking it down. Whether it
is fished dead, just greased with flotant and
allowed to sit on the surface, or with a steady
retrieve, it is the perfect imitation for the
emerging caddisfly.
Halo Midge Emerger
HOOK: 16-24; TMC 900 BL—IX fine, barbless
dry fly hook
BODY: Antron dubbing (touch dubbed)
HALO: small piece of closed-cell packing
foam tied out either side of the shank so that
it protrudes just behind the eye
SPIKE: orange deer hair tied in at the eye
and slanted forward approximately 45 degrees.
The main midge colors are cream, gray, brown,
black, olive, and red. The fly is greased to
float and fished hanging in the surface film.
It has enough powerful attractor characteristics,
with the Antron body and foam halo, to be effective
even when the water is covered with natural insects.
~ GL
To be continued, next time: Wet Flies
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