Emergers vs Classic Wets: Any real difference?

[northcountryman]

Guys;

I was noticing recently how my caddis emerger patterns, even some of the mayfly emergers as well, really look alot like, or at least are very similar to alot of the classic wet fly patterns that appear to have fallen out of favor in recent years. Aren't these 2 types of flies pretty much the same thing and therefore, should be fished pretty much in the same manner and in many of the same situations? Also, why is it that these "emerger" patterns have sort of replaced the classic wets? Are they superior?

Thanks,

Northcountryman

[Davyfly]

If you would look into the history of wet flies/soft hackles/spiders more or less you will find a fly that would be suitable to represent pretty much all aquatic and terrestrial species. You just have to know what flies to use under the prevailing conditions.
In those days flies were fashioned based on the then ability of the fly tyer and the availability of fly tying material.

Now we have a huge range of tying material, many millions of fly fishers and 1000s who tye flies world wide, many of which concoct new variations of new fly patterns based on those that were historically used.
We also have today many more techniques of fishing that were not practised in the past and that again has been reason why many new fly patterns have evolved.

Are the emerger patterns of today superior to the traditionals, may be in a few cases, overall l would say not. However bear in mind we are now able to use materials that were not available in the past. Therefore how do you define a traditional fly, one that has a long period of past history ! then would say a zebra midge be judged same after a 100 years of use, probably not for it does not have its roots in past fly fishing history in the same way say compared to a poult bloa or a Invicta.

Davy.