Bodkin / Patterns

AP Emerger

Emerger · Wet Fly · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook 1x-long, 1x-strong nymph/wet, #12-16
  • Thread Brown 70 denier UTC

Materials

  • Lead-free wire 0.015" lead free wire (8-10 wraps (front half, weight))
  • Mallard flank Natural gray mallard flank (10-12 long fibers (tail))
  • UTC wire Small (1 length (rib))
  • Synthetic dubbing Rusty brown / dark tan (1 noodle (body))
  • Peacock herl Natural peacock herl (2 strands (thorax))
  • Hungarian partridge Gray or natural hungarian partridge (1 small feather (hackle))

How to tie it

  1. Wrap 8-10 turns of 0.015 wire over the front half of the shank, dam it with thread front and back, and take the thread to the bend.
  2. Tie in 10-12 long natural mallard flank fibers for a tail at least as long as the body, using the butts to smooth the underbody.
  3. Catch in small wire for the rib and smooth the underbody with thread.
  4. Wax the thread and dub a tapered body of rusty brown/dark tan dubbing over the rear two-thirds.
  5. Tie in two peacock herls by their tips; leave the thread hanging mid-thorax and wrap the herls forward to it (the hanging thread keeps them together), forming a thorax slightly thicker than the body; tie off, leaving room for the hackle.
  6. Counter-wrap the wire rib forward over body and thorax, tie off with several tight wraps, and helicopter the wire off.
  7. Prepare a small partridge feather (grab the tip, sweep fibers back to a V), tie in by the tip with the concave side toward the hook, fold the tip back, lock it, and remove the tip.
  8. Wrap 2-3 turns of partridge, sweeping fibers back each turn, and secure with two wraps; snip the excess close.
  9. Sweep the fibers back (they should lie softly along the body), build the head, whip finish, and add head cement or UV resin.

Tying videos

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