The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Emerger

Simple Showshoe Emerger

Insect Species Icon Midges, Blue Wing Olive, PMD and 1 others
Difficulty Icon Easy - 1-3 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: 2X Short, Wide Gape, Straight Eye
  • Thread: UTC 70 Denier, Olive
  • Tail: Pheasant Tail, Natural
  • Body: Pheasant Tail, Natural
  • Wing: Snowshoe Rabbit’s Foot, Natural

With only two main materials, this fly is difficult to find substitutes for. It really is best left the way the recipe is written. Replacing any materials with a less than satisfactory substitute could undermine the look, and usefulness of this incredibly simple pattern.

Whether you’re trying to imitate midges, or small mayflies this pattern can be extremely useful. With just a change in color on the pheasant tail, the snowshoe rabbit’s foot, or both, you can have a few different species tied up in no time. The best way to determine what you should tie is to look closely into what hatches happen in your local area, or the area you plan to fish during a certain time of year. That way you are sure to have what you need.

Just like the name says, this bug is super simple. So many emerger patterns these days can take 10 minuets a piece to tie, or use four materials you’ve never heard of before. This fly gives the tier a chance to spin up a fly quickly, without any headache, that even the pickiest of trout will take a second glance at. It’s easy on the tier, and the wallet, but will put the hurt on the fish.

This bug does best on solo missions with subtle presentation, and drag free drifts as it’s weapons of choice. The natural, realistic aspects of the Simple Showshoe Emerger should take care of the rest if you do your part. If you are having trouble spotting the fly on the surface of the water, you can fish it behind a larger dry fly in a double dry fly rig. This pattern will sit suspended in the film, so it can be difficult to keep your eye on.

Blue Wing Olive

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Northwest
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: East
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Southeast
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24
Region: Midwest
Blue Wing Olive
Sizes: #16 - #24

Midges

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, East, Southeast, Midwest
Midges
Sizes: #14 - #26

PMD

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, East, Southeast, Midwest
PMD
Sizes: #14 - #20

Trico

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest
Trico
Sizes: #18 - #26
Region: East, Southeast, Midwest
Trico
Sizes: #18 - #26

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and all the FlyBrary Content.