Midge / EmergersRosenbaur's Rabbit Foot Emerger

Natural Behavior: Mayfly emergers struggle to break through the surface film during hatches, many becoming trapped with trailing shucks. These vulnerable insects drift helplessly in the current, unable to fly or dive to safety.

Where Trout Eat It: Fish sip emergers hanging in surface film or just subsurface during mayfly hatches on the Lamar River and Beaverkill. Trout target these vulnerable insects trapped in transition zone between nymph and adult during PMD, BWO, and March Brown emergences when fish become highly selective.

How to Fish It: Fish in film with greased leader to within 6 inches of fly, or deep with split shot. The snowshoe rabbit wing provides natural buoyancy keeping it suspended at perfect depth (abdomen/shuck below surface, wing visible above). Use as top fly in tandem rig or 18-24 inches below visible dry on 5X-6X tippet.

Best Water: Target tail-outs, seams along weed edges, and foam lines in slow glides. Focus on current breaks and eddy lines where emergers concentrate during hatch windows.

Strike Type: Fish sip the pattern with barely perceptible surface disturbance, targeting the snowshoe rabbit wing floating above the film; gentle hook-set prevents leader failure on fine tippets during selective feeding.

Rigging Suggestions: Use as top fly in tandem nymph rig, or 18-24 inches below a visible dry fly on 5X or 6X tippet. 9-12 foot leader recommended.

Seasonal Timing: April through June and September through October during mayfly hatches, particularly effective for PMD, BWO, and March Brown emergences.

Pro Tips: This pattern excels when trout are "in the film" refusing fully emerged dries. The rabbit foot wing provides natural movement and buoyancy while maintaining a low profile. Grease leader to within 6 inches of fly to keep it suspended at the perfect depth.