Midge / EmergersRoy's Special Emerger
Roy's Special Emerger is a simple yet effective mayfly emerger pattern that represents insects transitioning from nymph to adult in the surface film. This pattern features a rust or orange antron trailing shuck to suggest the discarded nymphal case, a slender gray superfine dubbing body, a gray poly yarn wing post, and sparse dun hackle wound parachute-style. The minimalist design creates an accurate emerger profile that selective trout find irresistible.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Beginner
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a straightforward approach to emerger fishing that works across multiple mayfly species. The pattern's simplicity is its strength - the gray body suggests a wide range of mayfly emergers while the rust or orange trailing shuck provides the key trigger that tells trout this insect is vulnerable. The antron or darlon shuck material has a translucent quality that mimics the appearance of a cast nymphal skin still attached to the emerging adult. The parachute hackle design allows the fly to sit properly in the surface film with the body penetrating the surface while the wing and hackle remain visible. This is an excellent pattern for beginners to learn parachute-style tying while producing a highly effective fly.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100, #16-20
Thread: Nanosilk 30D (Semperfli), gray
Tail: Antron Yarn or Darlon, rust or orange
Body: Superfine Dubbing, gray
Wing: Poly Yarn, gray
Hackle: Rooster Cape or Saddle, dun
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring, summer, and fall mayfly emergences. Particularly productive during PMD, BWO, and other gray-bodied mayfly hatches when trout are focused on emergers in the film.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift in the surface film. Focus on slower water where emergers accumulate and trout have time to inspect them. Look for subtle rise forms that indicate fish feeding on emergers rather than fully emerged adults.
When to Use
Select this pattern when trout are rising but refusing standard dry flies. The emerger profile often succeeds when adult imitations fail, particularly during sparse hatches when trout become highly selective.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly tailwaters and spring creeks where educated trout demand accurate emerger presentations. Most effective in slower pools, eddies, and flat water 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 and trailing shuck should penetrate the surface film.
Visibility & Floatation
The gray poly yarn wing provides visibility for the angler while the dun hackle supports the fly in the film. The trailing shuck hangs below the surface, creating the emerger profile that triggers selective trout.
