Emergers & Cripple Flies
Picky trout call for technical flies. Have you ever seen a trout feeding just below the surface, almost like it’s eating dry flies, but it’s not eating any of the dry flies you’re casting? Chances are that those trout are feeding on emergers. Emergers are flies just below the surface that are shedding their nymphal shuck and hatching into a dry fly but they haven’t quite made it to the surface yet. These bugs, along with cripples, are exposed and vulnerable which makes them a tasty target for hungry trout. Fortunately for all of you trout bums out there we have a vast selection of emergers and cripple flies to make your next trout venture a success.
Some of the most popular flies in this category are classified as midges, nymphs, and emergers; they can be fished in a variety of ways. The Juju Baetis patterns, for example, can be dead-drifted under an indicator or fished as an emerger/cripple. The Jujubee Midge Fly and the Jujubee Midge Flash Fly are two patterns that are hugely effective when fish are feeding on emerging Baetis. Similarly, the Juju Baetis Fly is a productive pattern on many trout streams. If you’re looking for a more emerger-specific Baetis, choose the Juju Emerger Fly and swing it through productive riffles and runs like a wet fly or fish it just under the surface. The Jumbo Juju Chironomid Fly is another great option when small Baetis are prevalent in a river system.
If you’re looking for more traditional wet flies, we have those, too. The Soft Hackle BWO Fly is a great blue-winged olive imitation and can be swung in a traditional manner to fool fish who are keyed in on bugs quickly ascending to the surface. Similarly, the Soft Hackle Emerger Fly can be fished on the swing or dead drifted just under the surface. This pattern comes in four different sizes and two different colors, Gray and Yellow. The Emergent Sparkle Pupa is another pattern that works well as when fished like a dry fly due to its deer hair body but can also be swung to imitate a skittering caddis.
If you’re looking for flies that are more nymph-like, midges like the Two-Tone Tungsten Zebra Midge Fly and the Tungsten Zebra Midge Fly are great for winter fly fishing when bug action is limited and fish are feeding on smaller flies. A similar pattern, the Ice Cream Cone Chironomid Fly, is also a productive pattern in cold water environments.
Finally, if you’re looking for a true emerger/cripple fly, the WD-40 Fly and the WD-50 Fly are stellar patterns that sit partially below the surface and partially above so they’re easy for anglers to see and for trout to see. These patterns come in muted colors to imitate emerging Caddis, Mayflies, and more.
Regardless of which emerger/cripple pattern you’re looking for, chances are you can find it right here. We have a wide variety of flies for a multitude of scenarios so you can be prepared when fish are feeding on small subsurface bugs. Best of all? They all come with FREE SHIPPING and a Price Match Guarantee. Shop Now!