Dry FliesFloating Nymph
The Floating Nymph is a classic emerger pattern designed to imitate mayfly nymphs trapped in the surface film during emergence. This elegant pattern features a dubbed body with copper wire ribbing, spade hackle tails and legs, and a gray dubbed casing that represents the splitting wing case of an emerging mayfly. The design rides in the surface film where vulnerable emergers struggle to escape their nymphal shucks, making it irresistible to selective trout.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases a classic emerger design that has proven effective on selective trout. The pattern's effectiveness lies in its ability to ride perfectly in the surface film, imitating the vulnerable stage when mayfly nymphs split their wing cases and struggle to emerge. The barred spade hackle provides realistic mottled coloring for both tails and legs, while the gray dubbing casing mimics the appearance of the nymphal shuck. The gold amber body glows with life when backlit in the surface film.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100SP-BL, #10-14
Thread: UNI 8/0, dark brown
Tail: Spade Hackle (dark barred ginger, grizzly, or cree)
Rib: UTC Wire, x-small, copper
Body: Superfine Dubbing, gold amber mix
Casing: Superfine Dubbing, gray
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing, gold amber mix
Legs: Spade Hackle (dark barred ginger, grizzly, or cree)
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring through fall mayfly hatches. Particularly deadly during PMD, BWO, and other mayfly emergences when fish key on emergers rather than duns.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift in the surface film. Pay attention to areas where emergers concentrate - foam lines, slow eddies, and seams. Often most effective during the middle of a hatch when fish become selective.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fish are refusing traditional dries during mayfly hatches. The half-in, half-out profile matches what many trout are actually eating during emergence events.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly flat water, spring creeks, and tailwaters where selective trout feed on emergers. Most effective in slower currents where emergers have time to struggle in the film.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-12 foot leader tapering to 5X-6X tippet for delicate presentations. Dress the hackle and tail with floatant while leaving the body untreated to achieve the proper riding position in the film.
Visibility & Floatation
The gold amber body provides good visibility to the angler while remaining natural to the fish. The spade hackle legs help the fly ride properly in the surface film. Apply floatant sparingly to maintain the low-riding emerger profile.
