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Fly Box · 6 guides

Emerger fly patterns.

Transitional patterns designed for insects moving toward or through the surface. Open a guide to identify the fly, see photos and variations, and learn when and how to fish it.

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We show a real photo when its identity and usage rights are clear. If only an illustration is available, we label it plainly.

01
Technical reviewed side profile illustration of LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa showing translucent synthetic veil, sparse segmented body, trailing shuck, emergent wing formIllustrated view

Emerger · #12–18

LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa

Gary LaFontaine's caddis-pupa design using a translucent Antron-style veil to suggest the emergence envelope.Open guide
02
Finished original-style RS2 emerger in a vise with split tails, slim gray-tan dubbed body, dark thorax, and short clipped wingReal fly photo

Emerger · Match the natural; Orvis demonstrates #20, Originator instructions use 6/0 thread for #14 or larger and 8/0 for smaller hooks

RS2

Rim Chung's sparse beadless emerger or floating nymph, built with two split tails, a tightly dubbed tapered body, a compact thorax, and a clipped saddle-hackle-web wing.Open guide
03
Exact Red Quill and Hendrickson Sparkle Dun flies with upright deer-hair wings and trailing shucksReal fly photo

Emerger · Hendrickson reviewed recipe: #12–16, BWO reviewed recipe: #18, other species may require different sizes; match measured naturals rather than treating #12–22 as interchangeable

Sparkle Dun

Craig Mathews's hackleless, flush-floating mayfly transition dry, distinguished from a Comparadun by its trailing Zelon shuck.Open guide
04
Technical reviewed side profile illustration of Top Secret Midge showing curved pupa hook, contrasting white thread rib, small sparkle wing, rusty-brown thoraxIllustrated view

Emerger · #20–26

Top Secret Midge

Pat Dorsey's tiny brown midge emerger with a white thread rib, sparkle-organza wing, and rusty thorax.Open guide
05
Exact source-identified assortment of small beadless WD-40 nymph and emerger flies with slim thread bodies, sparse tails, dark wing cases, and compact thoraxesReal fly photo

Emerger · #16–24 in the reviewed Orvis standard recipe, Orvis demonstrates #20 as a versatile standard example

WD-40

Mark Engler's sparse beadless emerger: one barred-fiber bunch forms the tail and wing case around a slim thread abdomen and tiny dubbed thorax.Open guide
06
Exact group of three source-identified X-Caddis flies with brown deer-hair wings, pale bodies, and amber trailing shucksReal fly photo

Emerger · #12–20 in the reviewed Fly Fishers International recipe, Orvis example range: #12–16; match the local caddis

X-Caddis

Craig Mathews's low-riding, hackleless caddis transition pattern, built with a thin trailing shuck, dubbed body, and tented deer- or elk-hair wing.Open guide

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