Kapok Mayfly Sulphur Emerger | Micropatterns Part 2

Above Photo: A TMC 212Y #17 is a wonderful hook for tiny emerger patterns.

(click on any photo for enlargement)

In Part 1, I covered the adult sulphur and its merits in its more traditional pattern form. I used a hackle collar in an X-wrap configuration and maximized Kapok to achieve a high-floating abdomen. Again, at smaller microdun sizes, these combinations prove deadly for spooky technical quarry. Now, looking at sulphur emergers specifically, CDC loop wing configurations at smaller sizes, we address more technical applications. Using materials in a sparse and conservative way keeps things relatively wind-resistant. By wind-resistant, in other words keeping bulk down so 6x tippets and smaller can function in cadence with the fly size. Keeping the bulk down allows you to cast finer tippets, especially when facing the slightest breeze with a 2 or 1 weight line. I always consider my delivery method as fly-specific; the fly drives the decision-making process for the leader and tippet, and vice versa. For example, you probably do not want to cast, let's say, a size 14 Humpy with a 2-weight in any kind of breeze, using 6x or smaller. It's simply not a great pairing.

Above photo: I blend Kapok with squirrel for an incredibly fine and high floating mixture.

The Sulphur as seen in the photo above, in a size #17, allows me to cast it using up to 8x on my 1 weight without any hiccups, even in a slight breeze. There simply isn't much air resistance. Your pairing of flies, water conditions, leader, and tippet seems so basic. But there are a lot of mistakes that can be made in simple fly selection, given all the extenuating circumstances. Technical water and trout will challenge your ability to use what you know. Fly fishers pairing their adversity with what they know will no doubt succeed more often than not. It's something my father taught me while I was growing up in Hawaii. As well as learning to tie knots quickly!

The sulfur emerger is slightly smaller than many early-season mayflies. Keeping the pattern sparse and gossamer, but not neglecting floatation, is definitely a ritual when I fish super-technical water. So again, we use Kapok mixed with squirrel for a high-floating dubbing blend in the thorax area. The CDC loop wing uses only a single feather, size #17 or smaller. Use a very high-quality “select” feather if you can. Good CDC is becoming scarcer. I typically use two feathers for sizes 12-16. The Tiemco 212Y is a very fine wire by standards, but allows me to float it using a minimum of materials. The use of a single quill with a sparse clump of cream antron keeps the bulk below the thorax to a minimum, and for very light tippets, it's a must. This is a killing pattern for me throughout the summer. Keep in mind that proportions are essential; you don't need a loop wing that extends beyond the hook's bend. Honestly, I have found that depending on the quality of your CDC, the loop only needs to take up about half a hook shank on a standard emerger hook. I also count my wraps for consistency's sake; it keeps me focused on low bulk.

~The Kapok Sulphur Emerger~

Hook: TMC 212Y #17-28 or light wire emerger hook

Thread: UTC Ultra 70 yellow or Semperfli Nano Silk

Body: Stripped peacock quill yellow

Shuck: Cream Antron (sparse clump)

Wing: CDC Cream (one feather only)

Thorax: Squirrel mixed with yellow and peach Kapok

This is a relatively simple emerger pattern that can be adjusted in size and color ways to imitate just about any mayfly imaginable. Dial in on the proportions, and you will be good to go. The next sulphur entry will cover a favorite subsurface pattern. A simple pattern that is extremely convincing for our technical feeders. Thanks for letting me share!

Clint Bova       www.cjbovarods.com