Foam Emerger

This is a Dry Fly pattern designed to imitate the hatching Chironomid (Non-Biting Midge). As far as I am aware it is a unique way to imitate this stage of the insects life cycle, merging the concept of Roman Mosers Balloon Caddis and the Shuttlecock Buzzer together. One of the reasons I started this channel was to allow others to see and try this pattern as I don't think they are in the shops. I'm not sure but I'm 99% certain it is a novel fly pattern that probably requires its own name. Any suggestions in the comments would be helpful.

The way this particular life stage is usually tied is with a material called Cul-de-Canard, tied forward of the eye and the fly resembles a shuttlecock, hence the name Shuttlecock Buzzer. Cul-de Canard is quite an expensive material and also has its drawbacks in terms of in the field reliability. The fly requires constant pampering to both float and be presented at the correct orientation in the surface film of the water. Once a fish is hooked, the fly will not float again, forcing a change of fly. Hatches where the Trout are busily going about rising to the emerging Chironimids are sometimes short lived and having to faff about getting a Shuttlecock Buzzer to sit right is the last thing you need. Another style of emerger is to tie foam forward of the eye, but these styles tend to not sit correctly in the surface film, laying down horizontally.

The way the foam wing is tied on this pattern forces the fly to both float reliably when using a light monofilament tippet and to sit correctly with literally no pampering, floatant or special knots.

The pattern can be modified to match your local hatch with different colour variants and size variants. The demonstrated pattern is the colour combination that has worked for my friend and I, but I have also had success with other colours and body materials at other venues. The addition of a few knotted Pheasant Tail Fibres for legs may also prove effective but I'm yet to try it. The only disadvantage I have discovered is the fly is difficult to see at range but I have recently thought of a way to improve that, so keep watching the channel for the improved version.

With at least 2 years of use they have accounted for probably over a hundred Rainbow Trout between me and my friend. They have also accounted for several Carp and Rudd while experimenting with Carp Fly Patterns I had come up with and even Chub, Brown Trout and a Grayling on the River Vyrnwy. It is fair to say that the pattern and its variants work.

The method to use is quite simple but it is important it is followed exactly as the fly will sink if the instructions are not followed but they can be easily followed. It should be fished with a floating line, I personally use a DT5F but that's not too critical. The leader, however, is critical and should be tied as follows:

The main body should be made of a fairly thick monofilament, about 0.28mm and be between 9ft and 12ft long. I personally use 9ft. Then there should be a fine 3ft monofilament tippet, between 0.16mm and 0.21mm, tied in with a 3 turn water knot. I use 0.185mm, 5lb breaking strain on my leaders. Adjust to suit your quarry. Don't bother tying in a second or third fly as droppers. The fly also cannot be used as a dry dropper, it will sink as its balanced to fish in the surface film, almost neutrally buoyant. Fluorocarbon or sinking monofilament cannot be used.

Cast to within a few feet of a rising fish and leave the fly static. No false casts are required to dry it or get it to sit right and no retrieve is necessary. A little mucilin on the leader minus the last 6 inches to the fly and the last few feet of fly line can prove helpful in improving the presentation of the fly.

Good luck and I hope it works as well for you as it has for us.