The Mr. Rapidan Emerger is one of my favorite flies for early trout fishing on the native brook trout streams. I developed this Mr. Rapidan to match the emerging form of the Quill Gordon naturals and its the most effective fly I have found for this. We not only use it for our personal fishing but it is also one of the top selling nymphs to our students in our Mountain Trout Schools.
When the weather is cold and the snow is flying, then I head to my fly tying desk.
Recipe for the Mr. Rapidan Emerger
Hook: Mustad Signature 3906B or Mustad Heritage S82AP Sizes 10, 12, 14
Thread: 6/0 Tan Prewaxed Nylon
Body: Hare’s ear
Rib: Fine copper wire
Hackle: Speckled Indian hen back
Wing: Mallard flank feather
Weight: Fine lead wire
Tail: Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Cover the hook shank with thread and coat with cement. Tie in six ringneck pheasant tail fibers over hook bend so they extend behind hook bend equal to the length of the hook shank. Then tie in copper wire over hook bend. Next place 6 to 8 wraps of lead wire in mid-shank and cover with thread and coat with cement. Then apply dubbing wax to thread and apply hare’s ear dubbing to the thread. Build a tapered dubbed body to 1/8 inch behind hook eye. Wind copper wire forward as ribbing and tie off behind eye, trim off extra wire. Tie in speckled Indian hen back behind eye and make three wraps of the hackle around the hook and tie off and trim extra part of stem. Tie in a clump of mallard flank feathers as a wing on top of the hook shank behind eye. Trim off wing butts and trim wing at about mid-shank. Build a neat head, whip finish, trim thread and apply cement.