Crane Fly Emerger Part 2
(click on any of these photos for macro zoom)
In my last Crane fly entry, I talked about the merits of this early to mid-season pattern in its pupa lifecycle. Confusion about this insect stems from the fact that its larval or “leatherjacket” stage is not its final stage before emergence. This is an important consideration if you intend on tying the shucking emergent. In the insect's pupal stage, following its larval manifestation, its form is a non-feeding pupa, red-brown, segmented, and immobile. It develops adult structures prior to its shucking and emergence. The pupal case resembles that of a tiny sea cucumber. In part 1, I showed you the basic pattern, using a simple rib over a kapok abdomen, devoid of knotted legs, and utilizing the dubbing loop beaver and squirrel guard hairs to render this leggy insect. In Part 2 of this entry, you will see how I utilize scud back and knotted legs for a very versatile imitation that can be used for both still water and faster currents.
As this insect emerges, its head, legs, and wings split through the top of the pupa. If the insect is in still water or a drift, it's struggling in the surface film to free itself relatively quickly, much like a mayfly or emerging caddis. Remember that these insects can actually gestate in moist soil as well as in muddy backwater or river edges. These morsels of food are packed with nutrient-rich protein, and trout, bass, and panfish zero in on these emergents with extreme prejudice. I use this fly specifically as a search pattern between hatches. I use it as an early-season pattern on the Grand River west of Toronto, Canada. It has proven itself season after season on some monster browns. The fly shown can be used in many types of water conditions, making it essential in my early-season fly box.
This pattern uses a multi-colored dubbed kapok pupa that is wrapped with a clear .125" strip of clear scudback. These pupas often are multi-colored hues of browns and reddish-purple undertones. As for your dubbing loop thorax, use a combination of CDC, squirrel, rabbit's foot, and kapok. Remember, the business end of this fly is pretty far up the hook shank. Crane flies are kind of like Jurassic midges. Think about the geometry of these insects; remember that their abdomens are quite long and their legs are fixed directly behind the head. As for your knotted legs, I use a pair on each side, and you can actually make them a bit longer than your typical midge legs. These flies are very “gangly” for lack of a better word.
Above photo: A #14 Hanak 300 BL hook, Original Czech Nymph hook, knotted natural pheasant tail fiber legs, kapok-dubbed underbody, and an overwrap of scud back make for a very, very buoyant body.
Find three earth colors of kapok and dub your thread with segments of light and dark earth values. As seen in the above photo, I have used redish-purple, tan, and cream. Be creative with it and collect specimens in your rivers. You can purchase test tubes online, fill them with formalin, and use them as a reference.
~CB's Crane Fly Emerger~
Hook: Hanak 300 BL #12 or #14
Thread: UTC Ultra 70 cream, or gray
Legs: Knotted brown or natural pheasant tail
Body: Kapok segments in three different shades
Rib: Clear or Clear Brown scudback
Emerging Wing: CDC loop in cream or tan
Thorax: Dubbing loop using squirrel, rabbit foot, and hare's ear
Take a shot at tying this emerger pattern; it will pay big dividends on the river, especially in the early season, March through June.
