TYING A LOW RIDER EMERGING NYMPH
According to Gary Borger, Jason Borger invented The Low Rider Emerging Nymph when fishing Montana’s DePuy’s spring creek a couple of decades ago. The nymph is imitating a hatching mayfly in the first stage of emergence. In this stage, the nymph attaches itself to the surface film and preparing to emerge.
Materials for Low Rider Emerging Nymph
| Part: | Materials: | Size/Color: |
| Hook: | Akita | AK503BL #14 |
| Thread: | Textreme | Dk Olive 6/0 |
| Wingcase: | Antron Yarn | Tan |
| Hackle: | Dr Fly Hackle | Brown |
| Tail: | Partridge | Brown |
| Body: | Rabbit Fur | Olive |
| Thorax: | Rabbit Fur | Olive |
Video Instructions on How to Tie a Low Rider Emerging Nymph
Video coming soon.Slideshow on How To Tie a Low Rider Emerging Nymph
Step 1 – Post the Wing and Hackle
Stage 1 emergers are tied the same way as most nymph patterns, but there are some essential differences. We will use a dry fly hackle tied in parachute style and Antron Yarn for the wingcase. These materials will help the nymph attach to the surface film and hang from it like a stage 1 emerger.
Tie in your tying thread at the hook’s eye. Continue wrapping thread turns until you reach the point in the middle of the barb and the hook’s eye. Tie in the Antron Yarn facing forward and post it. Continue tying in and posting the dry fly hackle to the Antron Yarn.
Step 2 – Tie In the Tail and Make the Body
Make even thread wraps until your tying thread is aligned with the hook’s barb. Tie in a few fibers of Partridge. The tail’s length should be shorter than the body’s length. Make a small dubbing noodle and build up the body until you reach the posted wing.
Step 3 – Make the Thorax, Hackle, and Wingcase
Make a new dubbing noodle and build up the thorax of the emerging mayfly. Leave the thread close to the hook’s eye. Make a few wraps with the dry fly hackle around the posted wing. Depending on hook size, 2 to 4 turns should be enough. Tie off the hackle in the head area of the floating nymph.
Use your thumb and index finger to stroke back all the hackle fibers pointing forward. Use your other hand to fold the Antron Yarn over the thorax to create the wingcase. Secure the Antron Yarn with a few turns of tying thread. Complete the floating nymph with a whip finish or a few half-hitches and varnish.
How to Fish the Low Rider Emerging Nymph
Many fly fishers have experienced a great hatch with many rising fish but no takes, even if serving a perfect imitation to the fish. Exactly why the fish is not rising to the fly is difficult to determine, but it is a chance that the fish is focusing on insects in a different stage of emergence. If you experience this situation, try to see what kind of emergers the fish are feeding on, or tie a stage 1 emerger to your tippet and work your way through the different stages until you find the right emerger.
