Introduction.
This can be termed a midge emerger and is very easy to tie in as little as 30 seconds. The original tiers were Alec Harvey and Peter Appleby of the UK. Trout are the main target, but it can be used for other species as well
This fly can be deadly at peak hatches in the spring/summer periods but can be fished throughout the year. The tying should match the hatch. The fly can be fished static on a floating line, close to submerged weed beds, bullrushes, sedge grasses, etc. It can also be fished on a sinking line and left static.
On a sinking line, you need to check the depth you intend fishing, as this will determine the length of your leader and tippet for this type of presentation. Sink line and leader will lie at the bottom, with the tippet and fly rising to the surface.
The take and strike: This will be in the form of an aggressive rise or a gentle sipping from the fish. Strike immediately! NB: The method fishing the fly on a sinking line is deadly with a proven record. Fish cannot see your tippet, as with the floating line method. Sometimes the fish will hook itself on the take (scissor hooked), and thunder off or gently swim off. Rises to this fly happen very quickly. Be vigilant for the take.
Tying materials:
Hook: Grip (Dry Fly) #14/#16 # 11001 or Grip (Emerger & Pupa) #14/#16 - #14711.
Post: Evazote foam cylinder 3mm ø x 15mm length.
(Colour – black/white/olive/orange/other).
Thread: Veevus PA170 (Colour to suit).
Rib: Flexifloss 05mm (if required) or silver wire (fine) – Colour to suit.
Hackle: Hareline (Keough’s).
Grade: Cape Grizzly TC176 or any small hackle to suit. (One strand).
Peacock hearl can be used instead of hackle.
Tying the fly:
Tie in the thread behind the eye of the hook and advance to the back of the hook until halfway around the bend of the hook.
Wind back up to the eye of the hook in two loose wraps in open turns creating body segments.
Tie in a 3mm post behind the eye of the hook in two loose wraps.
Tighten down, winding backwards, to create a carrot shape from back to front.
Tie in hackle around of choice from the stem.
Wind hackle around the hook and towards the eye for about 3 or 4 turns.
Whip finish the fly and cut off the post overhanging the eye of the hook about 4/5mm past the hook eye.
The fly is complete for you to fish this deadly pattern.
The fly suspended in a jug of water to demonstrate how it should float in normal flyfishing conditions.
