Barr Emerger by Charlie Craven

The Barr Emerger is high on my list of favorite flies. A simple concoction of feathers and dubbing, this simple pattern is an all around great fly. The idea behind this pattern, according to John Barr, was to imitate the adult insect creeping out of the nymphal shuck. Originally John tied this pattern to match Pale Morning Duns after a day on Nelson's Spring Creek. The original pattern, too, was tied on a dry fly hook (TMC 101) and meant to be fished dry to rising fish. The pattern I present here is the wet version, meant to be fished below the surface, anywhere from stream bottom to an inch under the surface. This is also the color variation meant to match the common blue wing olive hatches we see out west on a regular basis. I would say that the wet BWO version is the most popular variation, and is the one I fish most often. I typically fish the Barr Emerger as I would any nymph; down along the bottom with a split-shot on the leader and an indicator above, or as a point fly in the Hopper/Copper/Dropper system. There is no reason not to have some of these in your box. They are so quick and easy to tie and use cheap, readily available materials to boot. Get to work.
Materials
Hook: #16-22 TMC 2487
Thread: Iron Gray 8/0 Uni
Tail: Brown Spade Hackle Fibers
Abdomen: Olive Brown SuperFine Dubbing
Wingcase & Legs: Dark Dun Spade Hackle Fibers
Thorax: Adams Gray Superfine Dubbing
Materials available at www.charliesfly... or by calling [phone]

[@jesseaskew957]

One of the instructional ties I have viewed. Great history and the notes on how to fish the nymph are great. Thanks!

[@joeduca8582]

Thanks, beautiful tutorial loaded with techniques, fine points we don't even think about - tying the legs in high and low to counter thread torque. Choice of materials, how to fish it, history. Thanks again! 👍😎

[@travishatfield331]

I bought your book on tying nymphs and this is the first one. Just got done tying them in size 16 and STRUGGLED to keep things slim haha. I also bought some size 20 hooks to tie those up as well and I think they are going to have to wait until I get some more practice with this fly. Awsome tie and book!

[@Meller83]

Perfection. My absolute favorite fly to tie.

[@zenbooter]

Real nice pattern. Was into your book awhile this eve checking most of it but mainly the wire ty ups, brassie , prince , cop john etc. Your book is fabulous and I may say that to your face this June as I will be in Boulder.. Thanks Charlie.

[@schmoonkie]

Superb video and superb instructions. Thanks!

[@varmintassassins8924]

awesome charlie.

[@briggs13a]

Been fishing the quigley and barr for over 30 years

[@justinaldrich692]

Nice tie Charlie.

[@hirkojs]

Mega Thx !!!

[@jdigioia1130]

Great tie! What would constitute a “dry” version, something that floats in the film? Would you switch out the leg material? Thanks and tight lines! 🎣

[@wyomingtrout5581]

Charlie - don't you think a tiny wire rib would approve this fly. When I observe Baetis nymphs, duns and spinners - the trigger that always catches my eye is the light colored rib on the abdomen of these respective bugs.

[@brooktroutangler5917]

How does one's OCD allow them to tie this fly?

[@cachi-7878]

Why would you cut the tail rather than measure it and leave the natural taper of the hackle? I’ve never seen this done.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Cachi - I’ve struggled with this very thought for years. John Barr has always clipped the tail to length, making it a bit more shuck-like than tail-like. It definitely goes against my grain as a tyer to cut it rather than simply tie it to length, but in the interest of being true to JB’s original pattern, it gets clipped.

[@cachi-7878]

Fair enough, thanks Charlie. 😊

[@martinhodell8465]

@@CharliesFlyBox I've always wondered the same thing- and that's why this pattern by JB never appealed to me- it seems to violate principles of good fly design...but he's JB and knows more than I do. Nonetheless, I have to imagine measuring things out so the fibers taper naturally would look more natural than these abruptly trimmed tails / fibers

[@seanbrennan3824]

Can I use phesant tail for wing case?

[@russelllieser4226]

What was the hackle from?

[@jack_batterson]

Mash that barb, please!

[@CharliesFlyBox]

For the one millionth time, I leave the barb on to hold the fly in the foam in my nymph box and pinch it when I tie the fly on. Relax, Francis

[@jack_batterson]

@@CharliesFlyBox 😆