Flyfishing the Sierras

• Hook: TMC 104SP #12-18
• Thread: Brown 6/0
• Underbody: 1/2 Blue Grass Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/2 Caddis Green Superfine
• Overbody: 3/4 Olive Antron Yarn, 1/4 White Antron Yarn
• Wing: Dark Deer Hair
• Shuck: 1/2 Blue Grass Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 Dark Olive Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 White Antron Sparkle Dubbing
• Head: Brown Superfine

Notes: This pupa pattern was developed by Gary LaFontaine around 1974 subsequent to a three year period in which Gary used Scuba gear to study caddis within the Big Hole River of Montana. This fly pattern represents the caddis once it is in the surface film. Gary noticed that caddis pupa were vulnerable only when the pupa was cutting itself free from it's cocoon and under the surface layer where it splits it's pupal shuck. Gary found that only rarely will a trout feed or chase the pupa during it's time of ascent. When the caddis pupa cuts from it's cocoon, there is a 15-20 second period in which the pupa drifts along the bottom generating gas to fill the sheath around it's body. This gas produces a shimmering effect to the pupa. The ability to mimic this shimmer was critical to Gary's pattern and he accomplished that effect by using Antron fibers developed by DuPont in 1973. Antron is a trilobal fiber-yarn that is resistant to matting and has the ability to hold air bubbles within water. By utilizing the Antron for the underbody and a sparse overbody, Gary was able to accomplish the gas-attracting qualities of the fly and the translucency required. Gary noticed that while this emergent pupa pattern is within the surface film, the overbody will develop at trail of small bubbles that also acts as an attractor to the fly. Ralph Cutter in his book, "Fish Food" (2005) suggests coating the fly with powdered floatant as a means of creating bubbles around the body. He applies a split shot to compensate for the additional floatation.

The Emergent Sparkle Pupa can be tied in many colors. The original Sparkle Yarn that Gary used was a blend of a particular color and clear Antron. Clear Antron is no longer available, so many tiers will create a blend using White Antron. Eric Slagle, a quide from Montana, wrote an excellent article on using Antron Sparkle Dubbing color blends in Fly Tyer , Spring 2006. He would use the dubbing for the overbody as well as the underbody. I find that the yarn is much easier to use for the overbody and use the dubbing blend for the underbody and shuck. For the Sierras, Brown/Green are preferred during the months of April through September. The Brown/Orange is an excellent October Caddis pattern during the months of September and October. Usually the pattern is fished as a dead drift, although Gary usually liked to use some short mends while it was drifting.

Variations:

• Hook: TMC 900BL #12-20
• Thread: Gray 6/0
• Shuck: 1/2 Charcoal Gray Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 Hare's Ear Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 White Antron Sparkle Dubbing
• Overbody: 3/4 Gray Antron Yarn, 1/4 White Antron Yarn
• Underbody: 1/2 Hare's Ear Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/2 Adams Gray Superfine
• Wing: Dark Gray Natural Deer Hair
• Head: Adams Gray Superfine

• Hook: TMC 900BL #12-20
• Thread: Brown 6/0
• Shuck: 1/2 Golden Tan Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 White or Clear Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 Golden Stone Antron Sparkle Dubbing
• Overbody: 3/4 Light Yellow Antron Yarn, 1/4 White Antron Yarn
• Underbody: 1/2 Golden Tan Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/2 Callibaetis Superfine
• Wing: Light Natural Deer Hair
• Head: Brown Marabou

• Hook: TMC 900BL #12-20
• Thread: Tan 6/0
• Overbody: 3/4 Ginger Antron Yarn, 1/4 White Antron Yarn
• Underbody: 1/2 Ginger Variant Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/2 Light Cahill Superfine
• Shuck: 1/2 Cahill Creme Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 White or Clear Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 Golden Stone Antron Sparkle Dubbing
• Wing: Light Natural Deer Hair
• Head: Light Cahill Superfine

• Hook: TMC 900BL #10
• Thread: Brown 6/0
• Shuck: 1/2 Ginger Variant Antron Sparkle Dubbing,1/4 White or Clear Antron Sparkle Dubbing, 1/4 Crawdad Orange Antron Sparkle Dubbing
• Overbody: 3/4 Burnt Orange Antron, 1/4 White Antron Yarn
• Underbody: 1/2 Crawdad Orange Antron , 1/2 Rust Brown Dazl Hare's Ear
• Wing: Natural Deer Hair
• Head: Brown Marabou