For a fly pattern to work, it’s got to honor the past while embracing
the future. The Spotlight Emerger is a modern fly pattern that does
both – and more.
This fly is similar to the emergers of the
past; it sports a long, trailing shuck of sparkly Antron fibers and a
highly visible posted wing of stiff fly tying hair. However, its bent
profile and finely tapered thorax make this fly appear quite vulnerable
in the drift. Its clever design also offers it a lightness and shape
that allow it to ride very high in the surface film – like an authentic
emergent insect!
Umpqua’s Spotlight Emerger – Hendrickson is
hand tied from the very best fly tying materials to match the pale
colors and hues of a real Hendrickson mayfly, and it’s as ready as you
are to catch big trout!
Specifications:
- The Spotlight Emerger series is defined by the pattern’s bent hook shank, stiff wing post, and trailing shuck of Antron fibers
- Hendrickson imitation in the emerger life stage
- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- Hatches in eastern North America occur from spring (April) to early summer (June)
- Emergers are active throughout the day, making this nymph a fantastic searching pattern when the current hatch is unknown
- Fish on a dead drift in medium to fast water
- When targeting fish during a prolific hatch, cast upstream and drift through the main current
- Hendrickson emergers can work quite well during heavy Isonychia hatches as well
- When using the Hendrickson emerger to fish an Isonychia hatch, vary your presentation styles as these nymphs are quite mobile and could be anywhere within the river environment
- Trout strike quickly and aggressively when feeding on Isonychia, so be prepared to set the hook
- This fly’s wing post is highly visible, so fish it confidently in fast water!
- SIZE 14
When and Where to Fish the Spotlight Emerger – Hendrickson
This
mayfly emerger can be fished as either an impressionistic fly pattern
when searching for trout or as a realistic imitation when matching the
hatch. When searching, fish this fly in the well-oxygenated water of
faster riffles and current seams. Fish this fly pattern throughout the
day – these crawlers are generally quite active and can easily be found
in the drift in cool, clean waters with good temperature stability upon
emergence. These reddish-brown nymphs are prolific in northeastern
North America from spring (April) to early summer (June). Hendrickson
emergers are most vulnerable to feeding trout during their relatively
long emergence period and when they are caught in the drift by a strong
current.
How to Fish the Spotlight Emerger – Hendrickson
These
aquatic insects are not very strong swimmers, and on eastern trout
water in North America, it’s quite common to turn a rock over in the
springtime to find a prolific population of Hendrickson nymphs clinging
to the safety of the debris around them just prior to their emergence.
Because Hendricksons are commonly found in the medium to high energy
segments of river environments and aren’t strong swimmers, fly anglers
will find the most success presenting this fly on a dead drift through
medium or fast water. Look for well-oxygenated riffles, runs, and
current seams, make an upstream cast and mend, and drift the fly
through the main current.
Hendrickson emergers will also work
quite well when fishing an Isonychia hatch. When fishing an Isonychia
hatch it’s a good idea to vary your presentation style and to be on the
lookout for trout feeding on emerging nymphs in slower water – if this
activity is visible, focus on these slower, more sheltered areas and
target the feeding fish with an upstream cast and a dead drift
presentation directly over the observed feeding lane. Gently moving the
rod tip up and down can imitate the short, jerky movements these
swimmers make while traveling to the surface to hatch. Because
Isonychia are some of the quickest insects in the water, watch out for
accordingly quick strikes from feeding fish; always be ready to lift
the rod tip and set the hook firmly and with confidence when fishing an
Isonychia emerger.
Hendrickson
These
medium-sized crawling nymphs are revered throughout the eastern United
States for their prolific early-season hatches in clean river systems.
Hendricksons in the nymph stage are easily identified by their small
banded legs, large stout-looking bodies, and three heavily fringed
tails. These insects follow the common life cycle of mayflies and
thrive in temperature-stable, well-oxygenated aquatic systems. They are
prolific in faster riffles, current seams, and the areas below these
medium to high energy environments. Hendricksons emerge to adult duns
early in the season (April – June), and as winged adults, these
mayflies display characteristic red eyes, reddish or olive abdomens,
and prominent banded tails. For fly fishing purposes, Hendrickson nymph
and dun patterns are great substitutes for the Isonychia and can yield
fantastic results when fished during a heavy Isonychia hatch.
Hendrickson Emerger Life Stage
During
its nymph life stage, these wide-bodied crawlers are quite common in
the rocky substrate of high energy aquatic environments of good
clarity. Because their swimming ability is quite weak, these dark red
to brown colored nymphs are at their most vulnerable when swept into
the main drift by a strong current during emergence. Hendrickson
emergers will thus be effectively fished in the moderate to high energy
environments of riffles, runs, and current seams. Just prior to
hatching these awkward-swimming mayfly nymphs will gear up to make an
adventurous trip to the surface film to emerge to winged adults.
Hendrickson hatch throughout the eastern United States from early
spring (April) to early summer (June) and are considered one of the
great and classic eastern hatches. Emergers can be active throughout
the day when a hatch is on, so it never hurts the early season angler
to stock some Hendricksons in their fly box.
Leland on Umpqua
In
1972 a man named Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves
in high demand. Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was
famous in the industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with
whipping up tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It
wasn’t long until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought
to take his consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly
after this realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together
to support Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack
Dennis, and Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself."