Awwww shucks

[Tightlinez]

How many of you add shucks to your emergers? I have toyed with it but have not noticed more success with shucks than without them. Has anyone had a different experience? What is your favorite material for shucks?

[Lonnie]

I add shucks to a few of my patterns. The materials can vary. I will say however that I do tie serveral emerger patterns that I intentionally make look like cripples or adults too. (The BOC swap folks will see what I mean...)

L

[Sumner Newman]

I add shucks to a few emerger patterns that I fish. I must also say, however, that I don't think I fish enough emergers, so I don't have a lot of experience with them. One emerger pattern I have had success with on stillwaters is called a "racoon", and the trailing shuck is constructed of mallard flank, wood duck, or other similar barred feathers. This pattern is generally tied to represent an emerging chironomid, but tied in larger sizes, it can also represent an emerging mayfly (callibaetis). Zelon is also a good material for trailing shucks, I think.

[Tightlinez]

there is an interesting article on westfly.com about shucks. It mentions using an antron loop with a glass bead in it. Anyone ever try this?