Midge / EmergersQuigley's Film Critic
Quigley's Film Critic is a sophisticated emerger pattern designed by legendary tier Bob Quigley to imitate mayflies trapped in the surface film during emergence. This pattern features a curved hook to suggest the emerging nymph's profile, a dual-material tail combining woodduck mallard flank with antron yarn for a trailing shuck effect, a grey olive dubbed body with copper wire ribbing, a dun poly yarn wing, and sparse blue dun hackle clipped on the bottom to sit the fly properly in the film.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Bob Quigley pattern tied by Charlie Craven from Charlie's Fly Box represents one of the most effective emerger designs for selective trout. The pattern's name reflects its purpose - imitating mayflies critically positioned in the surface film where they're most vulnerable. The dual tail materials serve different purposes: the woodduck mallard fibers suggest natural tailing fibers while the antron yarn creates a trailing shuck suggesting the nymphal case the emerger is escaping. The curved Tiemco 2487 hook is essential to the pattern's profile, placing the body at the correct angle in the surface film. The hackle is typically clipped flat on the bottom to ensure the fly rides properly with the body penetrating the film while the wing and hackle remain above.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2487, #14-18
Thread: Nanosilk 18/0 (Semperfli), dark brown
Tail: Mallard Flank, woodduck gold
Shuck: Antron Yarn, copper or brown
Rib: Wire (UTC), copper fine
Body: Superfine Dubbing, grey olive
Wing: Poly Yarn, dun
Hackle: Rooster Cape or Saddle, blue dun
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing, grey olive
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring, summer, and fall mayfly emergences. Particularly productive during PMD, BWO, and other mayfly hatches when trout are keyed on emergers in the film.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift in the surface film. The fly should sit with the body hanging below the surface while the wing and hackle remain visible. Focus on slower water where trout have time to inspect emergers.
When to Use
Select this pattern when trout are rising but refusing standard dry flies. Look for subtle rises that suggest fish are taking emergers just below or in the film rather than fully emerged adults. Particularly effective when hatches are sparse and trout become selective.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly tailwaters and spring creeks where educated trout focus on emergers. Most effective in slower pools, eddies, and flat runs where emergers concentrate.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 12-15 foot leader tapering to 6X-7X fluorocarbon tippet for delicate presentations. Apply floatant sparingly to the wing and hackle only - the body should penetrate the surface film.
Visibility & Floatation
The dun poly yarn wing provides visibility for the angler while the blue dun hackle supports the fly in the film. The body hangs below the surface, creating the critical emerger profile that selective trout key on.
