Wye caddis: emerger and dropper tweaks
River Wye at Hay-on-Wye: size 14–16 emergers dominate the evening caddis pulses
On classic limestone beats of the Wye and tributaries like the Lugg, a 9 ft tapered leader finished with 4X or 5X tippet is the reliable starting point. The point fly should be a sparse emerger or pupa in sizes 14–16 so it rides the film; dropper length begins at 18 inches to let the emerger hang just under the surface where brown trout take in low light.
Presentation is simple: dead-drift the rig through glides, tail-outs and softer inside edges where caddis emergences concentrate. If trout follow without committing, add a tiny wake, twitch or skitter. When fish become picky, step to finer tippet rather than heavier, and shorten the cast to place the fly on the line of the next repeatable rise.
Rig, knots and swap tactics
Attach tippet to leader with a double uni and secure flies with an improved clinch for a soft link. If rises show but misses increase, extend the dropper to 24 inches so the emerger sits deeper in the film. If emergers are taken but dries refused, switch the point to a small pupa and let it swing very slowly across the seam while the upper fly serves as a visible take indicator.
Evening success on the Wye favours a floating line with a longish tippet and the emerger on point, pupa on the dropper; cover both surface and subsurface feeding without changing rigs every cast. Fish the seams deliberately and watch for subtle slashes at dusk, a brown trout sipping an emerger under the film as daylight thins along the limestone bank.
Recommended: 9 ft tapered leader