Midge / EmergersBarr's Micro Emerger
The Barr's Micro Emerger is a small, highly effective fly that mimics emerging midges in their most vulnerable state. Designed by John Barr, it's a great choice when fish are selectively feeding on midges just below the surface.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Apr 2025
Overview
Designed by John Barr, this slim emerger pattern is a minimalist fly built to ride just below the surface during mayfly hatches. It's tied on a curved emerger hook with a sparse dubbing body, a fine shuck made of Antron or Z-lon, and a small tuft of CDC or synthetic for the wing. There's no bead or hackle—just a clean silhouette that imitates an emerging mayfly. The simplicity of materials and proportions makes precise thread control essential when tying.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2487, size #16–#20, 2X short curved shank for midges
Thread: Black Veevus 14/0
Body: Superfine dubbing in gray or cream
Wing: CDC puff in dun or light gray
Thorax: Peacock herl
Ribbing: Fine copper wire
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Tiny mayfly emergers transition through the meniscus with abbreviated struggle time, their small size making extraction faster but no less vulnerable. Trout target these miniature profiles during sparse hatches.
Where Trout Eat It: Trout intercept this minimalist pattern hanging vertically in the surface film during midge and small mayfly hatches on spring creeks and tailwaters. The CDC puff wing sits flush in the film while the curved body dangles below, creating the exact profile of a trapped emerger.
How to Fish It: Suspend in the film alone or as a dropper beneath a small parachute dry with 5X-6X tippet. The slim profile and CDC wing require drag-free drifts with minimal disturbance—grease your leader but not the fly, allowing it to hang motionless in the film.
Best Water: Excels in tail-outs, back eddies, and soft seams of the Fryingpan and Yampa Rivers where selective trout feed on small emergers. Target foam lines and slicks in slow runs during overcast conditions when midge activity intensifies on technical Rocky Mountain waters.
Strike Type: Minuscule takes require intense focus—any pause in drift or leader twitch demands an immediate set.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: This fly can be fished alone or as part of a multi-fly setup. When fishing a multi-fly setup, consider using the Barr's Micro Emerger as your top fly.
Seasonal Timing: Fish this fly year-round, but it is especially effective during midge hatches in the and . Use this fly when you observe fish feeding on emerging midges.
Pro Tips: This fly is designed to ride in the surface film imitating emerging midges. The peacock herl thorax adds some buoyancy, and the CDC puff wing aids in visibility.
Entomology
Midge pupae hang suspended in the surface film in a vertical position, trapped by surface tension as they attempt to break through to emerge. This vulnerable position can last several minutes, with the pupa struggling to shed its pupal shuck. Trout sip these emergers with subtle rises, often refusing fully emerged adults or submerged pupae in favor of this consistent, easy-to-intercept meal during prolific midge hatches.
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Chironomidae
- Common Name
- Midge
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- general