modern Michigan streamer · date unknown
Feenstra's Emulator
Also called Emulator, Emulator Sculpin
Likely origin Mainly Feenstra's own pattern sheet; Trident sells it under his name. No date.
History
Feenstra's pattern sheet says he first tied the Emulator as a smallmouth bass fly and that it later became one of his favorite steelhead flies. The name comes from the emu feather wound for the body, and the soft possum or wool head and splayed marabou give it a sculpin or goby shape.
It is among the patterns he posts recipes for on his guide-service site, and it is still tied commercially.
Materials
| Hook | 3XL or longer streamer (Daiichi 2461), size 1/0 |
|---|---|
| Thread | To match |
| Tail | Tan or olive grizzly marabou, one feather splayed to each side; optional copper Flashabou |
| Body | Emu feather, wound |
| Hackle | Brown or olive schlappen, palmered through |
| Fins | Mallard flank clumps on each side (or a mallard collar) |
| Head | Clump of Australian possum fur or ram's wool |
Sources
- Feenstra, K. "Emulator Fly" (pattern sheet). Feenstra Guide Service.
- "Steelhead and Trout Patterns for the Muskegon River." Feenstra Guide Service.
- "Feenstra's Emulator Fly." Trident Fly Fishing (product page).
Know more about this fly's history, or spot a mistake? Send a correction.
No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.