In my personal assortment of stillwater patterns,
I have devoted one entire fly box to wet flies and
nymphs tied with peacock herls. I have both the
standard Zug Bugs and Prince Nymphs, as well as a
wide assortment of other peacock-bodied patterns
I’ve picked up from top fly tiers all across the
country.
I fish two peacock bodied flies more often than all
others combined. One is my old favorite Henry’s Lake
Renegade (which ran in this column earlier). The other is my Peacock Emerger.
Peacock Emerger
Hook: Mustad 9671 (or equivalent) 8 - 14.
Thread: Black 6/0 prewaxed.
Tail: 1 peacock herl, — body length.
Abdomen: Several peacock herls, wrapped
around tying thread, then wrapped around hook shank,
3/5 way to head.Thorax: Several peacock herls, larger than abdomen.
Beard: Brown saddle hackle, flared (either as
a beard, or wet fly style).Wing: 2 peacock herls, — length of abdomen.
Head: Black 6/0 prewaxed.
I fish this fly as midge, caddis, or mayfly emerger.
Often we will find all three species hatching at the
same time; one reason the fly is so effective. One of
my fishing friends calls this is “Potluck Special.” He
says he doesn’t need to know exactly what is happening
down under to catch fish with it. I tend to agree with
him.
I also like to use the fly where many other tubers are
using Zug Bugs and Prince Nymph type flies. I have a
theory that fish at times “tire” of seeing the same
old flies drifting by all day long. I will often try
to give em something a bit different. ~ Marv
About Marv
Marv Taylor’s books, Float-Tubing The West,
The Successful Angler’s Journal,
More Fragments of the Puzzle, (Volume I) and More
Fragments of the Puzzle, (Volume II) are all available from
Marv. You can reach Marv by email at marvtroutman@juno.com or by phone: 208-322-5760.
Originally published September 8th, 2003 on Fly Anglers Online by Marv Taylor.