Antonio's Emerger Fly

Antonio's Emerger Fly is a specialized pattern designed to solve one of the biggest problems in fly fishing: seeing a tiny fly that sits low in the water. Created by Umpqua Signature Tyer Antonio Rodrigues, this fly targets trout feeding on mayflies that are stuck in the surface film. It features a unique split wing and a bright "sighter" post that makes it visible to you, even in glare or low light. This pattern is a top choice for fooling selective trout in everything from pocket water to slow, flat pools.

What It Imitates

This pattern mimics a mayfly in its most vulnerable stage, right as it struggles to break free from its nymphal shuck. The curved hook hangs the body below the surface, while the split wing profile looks exactly like an insect trying to dry its wings. It is designed to match common hatches like Blue Winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, and March Browns.

How To Use It

Fish this fly as a dry fly, but expect it to ride lower than a traditional parachute pattern. Apply a gel floatant safe for CDC feathers to the wings and the bright sighting post, but leave the body untreated so it sinks slightly. Cast it upstream to rising fish and allow it to dead-drift drag-free over their feeding lanes. The bright spot on top helps you track the fly, so set the hook the moment you see a fish rise near it.

When To Use It

This fly shines during technical hatches when fish are ignoring high-floating duns and focusing on emergers just below the surface. It is perfect for days with flat water or complex currents where tracking a small fly is difficult. Use the Blue Winged Olive color on cloudy days, the Pale Morning Dun version in the morning or evening, and the March Brown size for early season hatches.

Why We Like It

We love this fly because it bridges the gap between a hard-to-see nymph and a high-floating dry fly. The added visibility from the sighter post changes the game when fishing sizes 18 through 24, allowing you to fish small patterns with confidence. It sits perfectly in the film, triggering strikes from wary fish that refuse other patterns.

Comparisons

Antonio's Emerger Fly vs RS2: The RS2 is a classic emerger that is famous for its simple, low-profile design. However, the RS2 can be nearly impossible to see on the water because it lacks a high-visibility post. You should choose Antonio's Emerger when you need the visual aid to track your drift, while the RS2 is a better choice for trailing behind a larger dry fly where visibility is less critical.

Antonio's Emerger Fly vs Barr's Emerger: Barr's Emerger is primarily a wet fly designed to be fished deep under an indicator or as a dropper. It does not have the floating wings or sighter post found on Antonio's pattern. Choose Antonio's Emerger when you want to fish on the surface to rising trout, and stick to Barr's Emerger when you need to get down to fish feeding near the bottom.

Antonio's Emerger Fly vs Parachute Adams: The Parachute Adams is a general dry fly that floats high on top of the water. While it is easier to see, it does not imitate the struggling, stuck-in-the-shuck behavior of an emerger. You should switch to Antonio's Emerger when fish are refusing the high-floating Parachute Adams, as the lower profile of Antonio's fly often convinces picky trout to eat.