How to Tie the Film Critic Emerger Fly Pattern

Feb 13, 2023 · 2 min read

Learn how to tie the Film Critic Emerger fly pattern, including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly-tying skills here.

Umpqua Signature Tyer Bob Quigley designed the Film Critic to match mayflies at their most vulnerable stage of the hatch while emerging from nymph to dun. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy prey for hungry trout. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20.

Material List

Hook: Kona BC4 size 14
Thread: Uni-Thread in 8/0 Olive Dun
Shuck: Antron Yarn in Gold/Tan
Tail: Hareline Coq De Leon Medium Speckled
Body: Hareline Turkey Biot Quill BWO
Post: EP Fiber in White

Buy Material Kit

Step One

Tan thread-bodied emergent fly on curved hook in vise, translucent film body with fine ribbing, fly tying tutorial

Begin the Film Critic by establishing a thread base from below the hook eye to the bend.

Step Two

Tan Film Critic Emerger fly with tufted tail and slender ribbed body held in vise beside pink-topped bobbin, fly tying

The first ingredient is Antron Yarn for the shuck. Remove the fibers from the tip, then tie on the shank’s center and cover with thread down to the bend. Trim the rear laying yarn to half a hook’s gap in length.

Step Three

Tan Film Critic emerger fly with sparse brown hackle tail and translucent shuck tied on vise for fly tying, black background

For the Film Critic’s tail, secure six strands removed from the Coc De Leon feather on the shank’s bend.

Step Four

Tan emerger fly with dubbed body, thin brown tail fibers and cream foam post in vise on black background

We’re now moving onto the mayfly emerger’s body using turkey biot. Tie a single quill by the tip and near the bend, then advance with overlapping wraps up the shank. Secure the material where the thread base initially started.

Step Five

Trident Emerger fly tied in vise with tan thread body, brown tail fibers and long white synthetic shuck trailing on hook

Secure a small clump of white EP Fibers at their center for the wing post. Trim the rear-facing fibers to the same length as the shuck but leave the forward-facing material uncovered for now.

Step Six

Film Critic emerger with orange-brown hackle tail, white foam film body and olive thread in vise — fly tying

Next, secure the cape hackle by the tip with the flowy section running behind the bend, then pull the EP Fibers rearward and make several thread wraps at the front to push them back further. We will come back to the feather at a later step.

Step Seven

Hand holding white film wing over orange-tailed emerger fly with tan dubbing on hook in vise, fly tying

The Flim Critic’s thorax consists of dubbing. Apply a small pinch to the thread, then make several turns in front and behind the post.

Step Eight

Hand tying orange Film Critic emerger fly with white film wing and orange hackle secured in vise, fly tying tutorial

Returning to the hackle, pull the post upward, then wrap the feather around its base several times before tying it off and clipping the excess.

Step Nine

Tan and orange emerger fly with white synthetic film wing and orange hackle, tied on hook in vise against black background

Position the post past the eye, then secure the fibers behind the eye while simultaneously pulling the hackles rearward.

Step Ten

Hand holding tan beadhead emerger fly with olive dubbing, white foam wing and slender brown tail against black background

Build up a small head by cranking the behind the eye, which will also help push the post upward.

Step Eleven

Tan and orange Film Critic Emerger parachute fly with white synthetic wing and feather hackle on vise for fly fishing

Complete a whip finish, trim the post to around the same height as the hackles, then apply a drop of head cement. The Film Critic is now ready to emerge from your vice and hopefully into a trout’s mouth.

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

Comments

(2)

Barry Urry

Mar 2, 2026

Great looking fly, I need to tie a dozen now!

Jim Newton