Mayfly Dubbing Emerger

Curtis- Aprial 28, 2015

When I worked in a fly shop during college 20 plus years ago, I was enamored with the fancily tied Barr Emerger patterns that we seemed to sell hundreds of. They were (and are) such a fine buggy pattern that I found myself tying a lot of them. However, as I began to use them in my personal as well as my guide stash, I found them far too labor intensive to be used as a high-volume "guide" fly. So began the process of peeling off features to see how well the stripped down "easy" versions would do. First gone were the legs, followed by the wing case and finally the tail. In none of those versions did the effectiveness of the pattern experience any fall-off. None. In fact, that little pattern was so effective during a float with a couple of guide buddies down the Green River (Utah) that by the time we made it back to the lodge and fly shop, my friend and shop owner Denny Breer (RIP) came out and asked me to show him this "magic" fly. And for the next number of years, this fly was pretty much my go-to mayfly nymph and emerger and I kept calling it a bead-head Barr emerger. That is until a day a few years years ago fishing with Cheech when he asked what fly I was using to work magic on some Green River browns. I told him it was a bead-head Barr emerger, he took one look and said that's not even remotely close to a BHBE. He suggested something that simple needs a simple name -- and he dubbed it the "Dubbing Emerger". The name stuck and it has and always will be on the varsity team. The beauty of this pattern is really in its simplicity. Now for those of you who see our other "fancy" patterns that are much more complex, we're not saying that level of pattern is a waste -- we still tie complex stuff and always will, so it's not always about how simple or fancy a fly can be. And even though we're not intent on simplifying all patterns down to one or two materials, it's still important to have a few guide patterns up your sleeve. You can tie them by the hundreds and the fish eat 'em up like Cheech downs cotton candy from the gas station. So here's the deal. It's basically hook, bead, thread and dubbing. That's it. You can use one color of dubbing if you'd like, but I normally go with two colors of contrasting shades -- especially for emerger situations. When I'm fishing to imitate smaller flies, obviously downsize the hook and I usually go one size down to begin with. So let's say you have a size #18 natural mayfly, I'll tie it in a #20. I also use as small a bead as I can on the hook -- especially when using this as a dropper. Speaking of using as a dropper, that's the most common way I'll fish this. Pair it with your go-to mayfly adult pattern and drop this. Even during the height of a hatch, you'll still catch a good 50% or more of your fish on this little guy. Beyond the dropper method, it's a killer nymph as well.

Material List
  • Hook: Daiichi 1130 - Light Wire Scud Hook - 16
  • Thread: 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge - Iron Gray
  • Bead: Cyclops Brass Beads - Brass - 3/32" (2.3mm)
  • Abdomen: Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Brown Olive
  • Thorax: Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing - Adam's Gray
Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

$3.50
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads
Cyclops Brass Beads

Cyclops Brass Beads

$3.99
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0
SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0

SemperFli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0

$6.25
Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

Wapsi Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

$2.25
TMC 2488 Nymph Hook
TMC 2488 Nymph Hook

TMC 2488 Nymph Hook

$35.90
Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge
Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge

Killer Caddis Glass Beads - Midge

$2.99
Wee Wool Yarn
Wee Wool Yarn

Wee Wool Yarn

$1.99
Daiichi 1130 - Light Wire Scud Hook
Daiichi 1130 - Light Wire Scud Hook

Daiichi 1130 - Light Wire Scud Hook

$8.95
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

$3.25
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing
Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing

Semperfli SemperSeal Substitute Dubbing

$3.25
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing
Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing

Sybai Fine Flash Dubbing

$2.90
Fulling Mill Tactical Dry Fly Dub
Fulling Mill Tactical Dry Fly Dub
Fulling Mill Tactical Dry Fly Dub

Fulling Mill Tactical Dry Fly Dub

$3.75
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing
Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing

Sybai Fine Diamond Dubbing

$2.90
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing
Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing

Hareline Squirrel Blend Dubbing

$3.25
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend
Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend

Fine Natural Dubbing - Rainbow Blend

$2.99
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing Dispenser
Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing Dispenser

Stalcup's Micro Fine Dry Fly Dubbing Dispenser

$21.90
Hare-Tron Dubbin 12 Most Popular Colors - Dispenser box
Hare-Tron Dubbin 12 Most Popular Colors - Dispenser box

Hare-Tron Dubbin 12 Most Popular Colors - Dispenser box

$21.90

Fulling Mill Tactical Dry Fly Dubbing Selection

$35.95

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