🎣 Welcome to another edition of Talk & Tie Tuesday! We’re thrilled to be joined in the studio this week by Bill Dombroski — a standout guide from the Trout Trickers crew! Bill shares his personal journey into the art of fly tying and guiding, and ties a fly that holds deep meaning. This week’s featured pattern is a tribute to his late friend, fellow guide, and accomplished angler, Scott Thompson. Scott was a Signature Tyer for Fulling Mill and the creator of the Lil Foamy — a true game-changer and one of the most productive flies in Bill’s guide box.

Tie it. Fish it. Love it.

Let’s go! 🎣💥

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Recipe:

• Hook: Tiemco 2488H, Size 18

• Thread: Nano Silk 18/0, Olive

• Bead: Hareline Mottled Tungsten Bead 5/64, Olive

• Tail: Olive Dyed Hungarian Partridge

• Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire Small, Copper

• Wing Case: Fulling Mill Bug Foam, 2mm White

• Dubbing Collar: Hare’s Ear Ice Dub, Peacock

Tips & Tricks

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🎣 Tips & Tricks for Fishing Emerger Patterns in Spring and Early Summer

🌱 1. Understand the Hatch Timing

• Spring hatches often include Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), Midges, and early Caddis.
• Early summer brings on Pale Morning Duns (PMDs), more prolific Caddis, and even Green Drakes depending on your elevation.
• Watch the water: if trout are rising but refusing duns or dries, they’re probably keyed in on emergers just below the surface.

💧 2. Target the Film Zone

• Emergers are most effective when fished in or just below the surface film.
• Use CDC winged emergers, loop-wing patterns, or sparkle emergers that sit flush or partially submerged to mimic the struggling insect.

🪶 3. Use a Dry-Dropper Rig

• Tie a visible dry fly (like a parachute Adams or elk hair caddis) and hang an emerger 12–24 inches below it.
• This lets you track your emerger and adds buoyancy without spooking fish with indicators.

🎯 4. Fish Slower, Softer Water

• During hatches, trout often move to softer current seams, eddies, or inside bends to feed on emerging insects.
• These areas give you better control and a more natural drift.

🕵️ 5. Downstream Presentations Are Key

• Present the fly downstream or across to prevent lining the fish and improve your drift.
• Use a reach cast or a tuck cast to get slack and delay drag.

🧵 6. Go Light on the Tippet

• Use 5X to 6.5X tippet depending on water clarity and fish pressure.
• Thinner tippet allows better movement of your emerger and a softer presentation.

🐛 7. Match the Color & Size

• Observe natural bugs in the water or use a seine net.
• Match size first, then profile and color. Spring insects are often smaller (size 18–22), while summer bugs might run larger (14–18).

🔄 8. Vary Your Emerger Styles

Try mixing these types depending on fish behavior:

• Trailing shuck patterns (imitates nymphal case)
• Crippled emergers (incomplete emergence – easy meal!)
• Bubble-back or CDC winged (visible and lifelike)

⏰ 9. Hit the Hatch Windows

• Spring hatches often occur midday (11 AM–3 PM), especially during overcast weather.
• Early summer bugs can hatch from late morning through dusk, so adjust your timing accordingly.

🔍 10. Watch for Subtle Takes

• Takes on emergers can be gentle sips or swirls — very different from splashy rises to dries.
• If fish are rising without contact, you may need to switch to a suspended or slightly deeper emerger.

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Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:

• Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
• Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
• Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
• Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
• Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit