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Emerger / Pattern notes

WD-40

A thread abdomen and tiny dubbed thorax suggest small mayfly or midge emergers.

At the vise
Beginner friendly
Common sizes
#16–24
From hook to fly

At the vise.

4 steps

Follow this base recipe in order. The materials list specifies one hook size; adjust proportions together when tying another size.

  1. Tail

    Tie a small mallard-fiber bunch at the bend with short tips extending rearward. Retain the long butts.

  2. Abdomen

    Hold the butts out of the way and build a slim thread abdomen to the front third.

  3. Thorax and case

    Dub a small thorax. Pull the retained mallard fibers forward over it and secure behind the eye.

  4. Finish

    Trim excess fibers, form a small head, and whip finish. Apply a little cement to the thread.

Beyond the bench

On the water.

Fish just below the surface during emergence, or as a small subsurface dropper.

Tied by independent makers

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Recipe references

Original written instructions adapted from the sources below. Materials and methods may vary between versions.

For the same fly box.

Illustration of a finished RS2 flyRS2Emerger · #16–24Illustration of a finished X-Caddis flyX-CaddisEmerger · #12–18Illustration of a finished Royal Wulff flyRoyal WulffDry fly · #10–16