Emergers?

[dainw]

Ok guys I'm just looking for a little advice on fishing emergers. This is one of the parts of my game that is lacking at this point and I just wanted to see what technique everyone else uses. I know Rs2 and Barr's Emergers are technically emerger patterns, but I usually fish those deep under and indicator. I'm more curious to see what the technique is when you're wanting to imitate and emerging insect stuck in the film? Do you guys swing it like a soft hackle? Fish it dry dropper behind a bigger dry? Do you fish it just like a dry? 

[golferjeff]

I like them behind attractor dries. Something I can see up front and a tiny little BWO RS2 or midge emerger off the back. Great fall setup in Colorado. Of course, like you, I also fish them deep with a little movement under a bobber.

[dainw]

That set up works well for fall fishing in Colorado you say? Interesting, I plan on being in Colorado this fall.

[dannys]

I like fishing them trailing a soft hackle (usually size 16 or 18; 14 if I think it more beneficial). If fish are anywhere near the surface, I fish them with no weight or indicator and let them swing through the drift. If they move down in the column, I will do the same set up except add a small egg shot.

My favorites are #18 or 20 Griffith's Gnat emerger or RS2 style using all pheasant tail for the body and thorax; antron for the bud. Both of these can be very productive fished as described above.

[mirvc17]

I fish them the way Danny does in his first post--off a dry fly that will support it's weight (which isn't much). I have some unweighted soft hackles but don't fish them that much. I have heard/read of attaching a small emerger pattern off of a soft hackle too.

I fish them deep just like most do, but if there's any indication (even if there's not) of fish feeding anywhere mid-water column or near the surface, I'll let my flies pull up towards surface after the drift. You'll get hits on the swing when the flies make their way from the bottom up towards the surface. You can also lift your rod tip up (Lessening Lift).

The Crackleback (similar to a Griffith's Gnat) can be another deadly pattern fished as an emerger / on the swing. It's a great, simple pattern you can fish as a dry fly, on the swing, as a nymph, in/under the film, etc. It was the Mystery Fly a couple of years ago at the Blue River Fly Classic. I fished mine under an indicator like a typical nymph, but got takes on the swing.

I think I may just whip up a couple more, size 18/20.

[jonbo]

I usually let them swing like a soft hackle, weightless or with a small split shot. I had really good luck this winter and spring fishing that way all down through the canoe run with a Barr's Emerger. I don't know why, but I don't have the same luck with dry/dropper. BTW, Dain, where you going in CO? I'm going to be in Durango over Thanksgiving and planning to spend a day at "The Juan".

[dainw]

Not 100% sure yet. I know we're wanting to fish the Conejos River for at least a day and then possibly the Piedra and Williams Creek. There's supposedly some big browns that run out of Navajo Reservoir in the fall up the Piedra and into Williams Creek in the fall. There's also a kokanee run out of williams creek reservoir and big brookies that follow them. Possibly meet up with Jeff and fish the dream stream or head over to Lake City not 100% sure yet.

I went to Durango about this time last year and loved it. Besides being great fishing, it's a really cool little town, lots of great restaurants and bars, really laid back. The Juan should be fishing great that time of year. If you need a guide, I highly recommend fishing with Spencer Schriber from Duranglers. The guy grew up fishing that river and has been guiding on it since he was a teenager. We fished with him for 4 days and had an absolute blast.

[jonbo]

Spencer Schriber. Thanks, Dain!