If you want to find your very own slice of traditional dry-fly-only
fishing in the English Chalk Stream style, look no further than Hot
Creek, near Mammoth Mountain in California’s Eastern Sierra. The cool,
mineral rich waters of Hot Creek Ranch’s fly fishing only section have
become known for their giant and healthy brown and rainbow trout, and a
big reason for the popularity of this destination has to do with the
loving advocacy of its former river keeper, Bob Brooks.
The Brooks’ Sprout Emerger – Mahogany is an
excellent imitation of an emergent mahogany mayfly. It’s highly visible
and can be fished effectively on light or heavy terminal tackle in the
soft water where mahogany mayflies generally hatch to winged adults.
Next time you venture to your favorite stretch of fly water, pack a row
of Sprout Emergers in your fly box and give them a try.
Specifications:
- This fly pattern was developed by Bob Brooks while seving as river keeper of and guiding clients on Hot Creek, a spring creek near Mammoth Mountain, California
- The Brooks’ Sprout Emerger series is defined by the pattern’s severe bend in the hook shank along with the white foam thorax
- Mahogany mayfly imitation in the emerger life stage
- Fish as a either an impressionistic fly pattern when searching or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- Fish on a dead drift in slower water as emerging mahogany mayflies favor medium to slow currents for emergence
- Look for sheltered areas with lots of subsurface vegetation and fish with an upstream presentation, mending line for a dragless dead drift
- Emergers hatch from early morning through mid-afternoon and evening hours in relatively unpredictable bursts of activity
- When targeting fish during a prolific hatch, aim for specific rises and take great care not to disturb feeding fish
- SIZE 18
When and Where to Fish Brooks’ Sprout Emerger – Mahogany
This
mayfly emerger can be fished either as an impressionistic fly imitation
or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch. Fish this fly in
medium to slow water from early morning through the evening hours –
mahogany mayflies are active from sunrise to sunset in somewhat
unpredictable spurts. As nymphs, they are not strong crawlers or
clingers and are often caught by the main current where they will
become vulnerable to trout. Upon emergence, they use their rather
clumsy swimming skills to reach the surface of quiet water near the
margins of their river or stream to hatch into adult duns. Look for
emergent mahogany mayflies moving from slower riffles and current seams
to even slower water; thick vegetation, roots, and plant debris offer
quiet shelter to these relatively defenseless nymphs, and these areas
are prime real estate for prolific mahogany hatches.
How to Fish Brooks’ Sprout Emerger – Mahogany
Fish
this fly on a dead drift through medium to slow water types; slower
current seams and longer intersections of sheltered areas and long,
slow runs are generally very productive water for hatching mahogany
mayflies. The mahogany is a very poor swimmer and its successful
emergence at the water’s surface film usually requires several
attempts. Subsequently, the mahogany mayfly expends a considerable
amount of energy during its hatch period; the trout that feed on these
large nymphs do not. When a hatch is in full swing, be sure to watch
the individual rises of feeding trout closely and aim for a specific
fish – the drift is like a conveyor belt stocked with food during a
hatch and a trout is not likely to move very far from its holding
position to snag another neat little package of mahogany protein.
Because these bugs often emerge in very slow and shallow water, it is
imperative that an angler approach a likely hatching area with care and
subtlety. When casting to these quiet areas, use long leaders, light
tippet, and do not cast fly line directly above fish – make casts well
upstream of observed feeding rises.
Mahogany
The
mahogany (Paraleptophlebia) is a species of mayfly named after its
characteristic deep chocolate brown color, and enjoys a wide and
healthy distribution throughout North America’s rivers and streams.
During its nymph life stage, the mahogany is identified by its long,
slender body, three prominent tails, and long, flanking, hair-like
gills. As an adult, these beautiful mayflies take on a rich, almost
sophisticated look. They are easily identified by their long, mahogany
brown thoraxes and abdomens and contrasting cream colored legs and
tails. Eastern species of this mayfly tend to display opaque slate
colored wings, while western varieties of the mahogany dun develop a
more transparent set of smoky to clear wings. These mayflies hatch on a
yearly cycle and are most active in the fall and the spring. Mahogany
mayflies are not very strong insects and shy from fast water. This
species generally makes its home in piles of vegetation debris,
streamside roots, and in weedy spring creeks. Slow water of gentle
riffles, soft current seams, and lazy eddys is prime real estate for
these timid insects.
Mahogany Emerger Life Stage
During
its emerger life stage, these weak-legged swimmers are commonly found
moving clumsily from slow water types to areas of even slower currents.
The most prolific nymph populations tend to occur in cool,
well-oxygenated water; the transition zones from riffles and soft
current seams to slower eddys and slack water are perfect spots to look
for emergent mahogany mayflies. These relatively small insects love
shelter, making weedy river bottoms and areas with lots of debris and
vegetation prime mahogany habitat. Because their swimming ability is
also notably underdeveloped, these mahogany-brown emergers will
commonly expose themselves by making clumsy attempts at emergence and
subsequent hatching in slow water near the margin of their river or
stream environment. Mahogany emergers hatch in both the spring (April
and May) and fall (August through October) on rivers throughout North
America. These hatches can occur at any point during the day. Hatching
activity is sporadic to say the least, but overcast days can create
excellent fly fishing situations. Trout can zero in on a solid hatch of
mahogany mayflies, however, making them an important bug to understand
and imitate.
About the Tyer: Bob Brooks
Throughout
the history of fly fishing, river keepers have played a large role in
assuring the safety and health of aquatic ecosystems that provide
lively environments for trout. River keepers have also played key roles
throughout the history of fly fishing in the development of new and
effective fly fishing techniques, equipment, and flies. Bob Brooks was
one of these river keepers. For several years, Brooks was a staple at
Hot Creek Ranch in California’s Eastern Sierra, where he held the title
of (you guessed it) river keeper.
While guiding clients along
and tending to the long, meandering stretches Hot Creek’s
dry-fly-fishing only section, Brooks was able to develop a new and
wickedly effective approach to stalking wary fish, as well as a line of
fly patterns designed to target selective trout that feed on emergent
mayflies, rather than winged adults. Today, the Brooks’ Sprout Emerger
suite of fly patterns are fished heavily and with success throughout
the world.
Brooks continues to fish heavily in the Yellowstone
region of Montana, throughout Northern California, and wherever else he
can travel with a fly rod. Brooks is a proud member of the Signature
Tyer program at Umpqua Feather Merchants where he designs flies for
production and distribution to anglers fishing fly water in all corners
of the globe.
Leland on Umpqua
In 1972 a man named
Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves in high demand.
Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was famous in the
industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with whipping up
tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It wasn’t long
until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought to take his
consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly after this
realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together to support
Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack Dennis, and
Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself.”
