WD-40 Emerger

The WD-40 is a tiny, sparse emerger pattern that imitates midges and small mayflies in the vulnerable stage between nymph and adult. The name says it all — it loosens up even the tightest-lipped trout. When fish are rising but refusing your dry flies, they're almost always eating emergers just below the surface. The WD-40 sits in that zone perfectly.

This is a technical-water fly. It's small, it's subtle, and it requires good presentations to be effective. But when the conditions are right — selective trout, flat water, heavy midge or BWO activity — it's one of the most effective patterns in fly fishing.

When to Fish It

During midge and BWO emergences, year-round. Fish it in the surface film or just below it — either unweighted on a long fine leader, or as a dropper 6-12 inches below a visible dry fly. The key is a dead-drift with absolutely zero drag. Trout eating emergers in flat water will refuse anything that moves unnaturally. Sizes 18-22, 6X-7X tippet.

Specs

• Type: Emerger — Midge / small mayfly imitation
• Hook: Fine wire, small profile
• Weight: Unweighted — sits in or just below the surface film
• Best for: Trout — tailwaters, spring creeks, technical flat water
• Technique: Dead-drift in surface film, dry-dropper trailer, euro emerger rig

Why Anglers Stock This Fly

The WD-40 solves the most common emerger problem: trout rising everywhere but refusing every fly you throw. It's small enough and sparse enough to pass through the scrutiny of educated trout feeding in flat water. This is the fly that separates casual anglers from serious ones — if you carry it and know when to use it, you'll catch fish other people can't. Hand-tied with quality materials by tiers with over 30 years of experience.

🎣 Match the full emergence? Pair this with a Barr's Emerger and Rojo Midge for complete depth coverage during midge activity.