How to Tie a Bar’s Emerger Fly Pattern | Fly tying for Beginners

Fly Tying

Feb 9

The Bar Emerger is a timeless fly pattern designed by John Bar, first introduced in the 1970s, and is known for its simplicity and effectiveness in catching fish. This easy-to-tie fly imitates the emerging stages of aquatic insects and works particularly well on tailwaters and freestone rivers.

Materials List:

Hook: Tiemco 24-87 or similar, size 18-20
Thread: Iron Grey A Dot Uni Thread
Tail: Brown Spade Hackle Fibers
Abdomen: Olive Brown Superfine Dubbing
Wing Case: Dark Dun Spade Hackle Fibers
Flashback (optional): Mirage Tinsel
Thorax: Grey Muskrat Dubbing (or similar)
Legs: Brown Spade Hackle Fibers
Head Cement: Solar-Lux Ultra-Thin UV Resin

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start the Thread

Begin by attaching your iron grey thread about three eye lengths behind the hook eye and wrap down to the bend of the hook, creating a smooth thread base.

2. Tie in the Tail

Select 8-10 brown Spade hackle fibers. Tie them in at the bend of the hook, leaving the tail long and untapered for now. You will trim the length later.

3. Form the Abdomen

Using Olive Brown Superfine Dubbing, apply a tight dubbing to the thread and begin forming a thin, tapered abdomen from the bend to about two eye lengths behind the hook eye. Be careful not to use too much dubbing, as a tight, thin abdomen will create a more natural look.

4. Tie in the Wing Case

If making a flashback version, tie in a small piece of Mirage Tinsel along the top of the abdomen. For the wing case, select 12 dark dun Spade hackle fibers, tie them in at the hook’s midpoint, and make a couple of tight wraps to secure them.

5. Dub the Thorax

Apply a small amount of grey muskrat dubbing to form a tightly packed thorax, tapering the material upward into the base of the wing case. This creates a smooth, rounded thorax.

6. Create the Wing Case

Pull the dark dun Spade hackle fibers forward over the thorax, flattening them out to create a wing case. Tie them in place firmly with a couple of wraps. Then pull the Mirage Tinsel (if using) over the wing case and secure it.

7. Attach the Legs

Divide the Spade hackle fibers for the legs into two halves, and attach one half on each side of the fly, wrapping them around the shank to secure them in place. Adjust the angle of the legs so they protrude evenly from each side.

8. Finish the Fly

Whip finish the fly just behind the head, creating a small but prominent head. Trim the flashback tinsel and the legs to desired lengths, leaving the tail about the length of the hook shank.

9. Add Head Cement

Apply a small amount of Solar-Lux Ultra-Thin UV resin to the thread head. Cure it under UV light for a few seconds to ensure a durable, glossy finish.

Fly Tying