Mayfly Cycle Part 2 – The Emerger
I used to follow the rule “If trout
are rising, use a dry fly, otherwise try a sub-surface wet fly or deeply fished nymph”. But sometimes trout don’t
follow the rule.
When trout are feeding on
the surface, they may NOT be taking the flying stage of a mayfly (dun), but the hatching nymph. For that brief moment it is
called an emerger, easy prey for trout as it struggles just under the surface to shed its skin. Hard, splashy rises that occur
when no duns are visible on the surface are a good clue.
I know of two ways to imitate an emerger with a fly. The first is to try an emerger imitation such
as the Klinkhammer, an attractor fly which floats with its body hanging below the surface. Some of our innovative neighbours
to the south even attach a “trailing nymphal shuck” to the fly, imitating the nymph skin from which the insect
is not quite free. We can even buy a package of nymphal shuck imitations to tie into our flies. And then there are “stillborn
duns”, those that don’t successfully transform. They too can be imitated by a fly. But it is my understanding
that there are more fishers than fish down south, so I’d suggest a simpler solution for Guysborough County trouting.
I use a sunk dry fly fished slowly and erratically
(struggling), just under the surface. Here’s how. First, tie on a dry fly but don’t use dry fly floatant. Float
the fly, twitching it a couple of times, then pull it under the surface. Leave it for a bit, then impart slight movement.
Leave it motionless again, then retrieve it a few feet in short swims imparted by a very slow hand-twist retrieve. If there
is still no response try a couple of fast retrieves. If you have lulled your trout into slumber, this tactic should awaken
them. One may even chase the fly to prevent its escape. By now the fly should be pretty well in and ready to dry, recast,
and present again.
I think of myself as a performer,
trying to intrigue my finny audience. If they don’t appreciate the show, I vary the presentation. If they still don’t
respond, it may be time to move on. This style of trouting offers several benefits:
- Minimal fly changing
- Less
casting, less “putting the fish down”
- No noisy “swishing” the dry fly across the surface
to be recast
- Simultaneous imitation of dun and emerger
- Less time wasted – do it all in a few casts
Here’s a fly that works well for me in a dun-emerger performance.
Blue Dun Wulff
Hook:
Dry fly hook such as Mustad 94840, size 8-12.
Thread: Black
or grey 6/0 or 8/0
Tail:
Blue dun calf tail
Body:
Black or blue dun polypropylene yarn
Wings:
Blue dun calf tail, divided
Hackle: Blue
dun dry fly hackle
Please stay on the line …