Over the last year I have been trying a new (to me) tactic for fishing
nymphs. Its actually a different way to tie nymphs, but it effects the way
the fly is fished. Typically one ties PTs and GRHEs using some sort of
feather or perhaps fur for the wingcase. Substituting a buoyant closed-cell
foam for the more traditional wingcase materials changes the fly in two
ways: the fly will tend to float and the wingcase can be made in a
multitude of colors, either blending or contrasting with the fly. The
ability for the fly to float off of the bottom of the stream needs to be,
IME, offset by more weight on the tippet. When done properly I think the fly
moves through the current and just off the bottom, where you need to be.
Using contrasting wingcase colors, such as yellow, red, orange, or pink
seems to give the fly additional attractant properties. I have tried this
fly/tactic in CA, MT, WA, TN, NC, and AK and have good (for me) success with
it.

Here is a link to a page with a short article and tying instructions. (this
is also a good web site with lots of info for anyone fly fishing the
Sierras)
http://stevenojai.tripod.com/kernem.htm
The fly shown is known in SoCal as a Kern River Emerger and credit is given
to Guy Jeans, who runs a FF shop in Kernville, CA, as the originator and
proponent of the fly. BTW, when in the Kern River area, you could do a lot
worse than Guy and his gang when seeking guides and/or guidance for fishing
the Kern River. His shop is Kern River Outfitters...(All usual disclaimers
are hereby incorporated, yadda, yadda,....).


Anyone else tried a this or a similar method?


Danl