Inner Light Sedge Emerger

     It usually takes a few seasons to develop a new fly design to the point I feel confident about it – & some never get there, the idea discarded altogether as ill-conceived. But I love it when one works out to take a place among the distinguished company in the box, as a member in good standing. It is only when one makes it to the stage that I am able to regard & fish it without reservation that a fly design is given a name, & a spot in the box that is more than temporary. The Inner Light Sedge Emerger is a version of the Bunny Sedge tied with a tinsel abdomen that I started experimenting with last season. The design showed some promise last year, though I didn’t fish it much, favoring the old stand-bys. This year, as the sedge emergence season gains momentum, with spotted & grannom sedges coming off the river as of this writing, I thought to include the ILSE in the rotation of usual stuff, & over the past couple of weeks it has emerged as the bait of choice. The trout’s preferences for imitation (of the same insect) does trend then change, but for now this one’s having its day (note: it's been mostly cloudy); swung & dangled.

Inner Light Sedge Emerger

Hook: #12-#14 Daiichi 1150

Thread: Camel UNI 8/0

Abdomen: Green mylar tinsel – coat with head cement

Thorax: Brown hare’s mask

Hackle: Brahma hen (brown partridge or grouse will substitute) – one turn

Head: Brown hare’s mask twisted in tying thread – split-thread, dubbing loop or twist-dubbed so that the ‘head’ (actually a continuation of the thorax) appears fairly shaggy – about three turns in front of the hackle ~ & finish

Flyfish NE Washington with Steven Bird http://ucflyfishing.blogspot.com