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3. sulphur emerger questions spring & little j

1.) what size should I tie the dark sulphur emergers that are coming off right now?

2.) does anyone have the FFP's Steve Swyhensky's dubbing mix formula and pattern for it?

3.) anyone care to share a dubbing mix for the later lighter colored sulphur emerger and nymph and size of the emerger?

Bruce,

Last night on the J I saw 14's and 16's. There are some cahills mixed in. Also some Grey Foxes in 12.

I don't have Steve's mix. Is in the FFP "archives"?

Others have said it before, and I believe it--"when color matters it matters least." Still I go to great lengths with dubbing at times, mostly to satisfy myself. I use the Caucci/Nastasi dubbing for most of my sulphurs. It is (very) approximately 60% white, 20% yellow, 10% red (they use a fluorescent red) and 10% light blue. They call it pale yellow. A light cahill dubbing that is yellowish would be very similar. I also tie some sulphurs with a brighter yellow. I caught one trout yesterday that regurgitated a bunch of sulphurs that were a bright yellow. Just emerged, I'd guess.

The later sulphurs are 16-20, I'd say. Ask JAD if you want to know for sure, though.

Best of luck.

1) It's been so long since I've tied any that I don't remember (I never get up there during the sulphurs any more). I'm thinking though that it's probably the same as what Steve recommends for the nymphs (the recipe for which IS in the archives on the FFP site, as suggested by Louis). He ties the nymphs in #12 - #16.

2) I'll save you the trouble of looking through the FFP archive; the answer is:

"Blend of 50% dyed brown Australian opossum and 50% orange sparkle yarn"

3) Don't know, I've only ever fished the darker one really heavily. I'm sure if you call FFP, Steve will be happy to tell you what he uses.

Bruce, if you're tying a floating nymph type emerger, certainly the dark brown is the color. I was referring to the emerging mayfly dun itself. For the nymph I believe any dark brown will work; Steve's blend is a good one. On the dun color I just read an article by Al Caucci in which he says the bigger invaria is lighter creamish yellow, while the dorthea is more yellowish, if that helps any. The dorthea nymph is lighter than the invaria. I use a tan dubbing or biot for that nymph.

Thanks for the help, guys.
Bruce