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Type of Fly Line
Nymph:
Floating line with long leader/tippet in shallows to
10ft. Use either sinking tippet, sinking dressing or
a weighted fly to present quickly. Tippet size; 4x -
6x.
Sinking line Type II for water 10 to 20 ft.
Dun:
Floating line with tapered leader and tippet. Use a
floating dressing. Tippet size; 4x - 6x.
Spinner:
Floating line with tapered leader and long fine
tippet. Use a floating dressing. Tippet size: 4x - 6x
Behavior
Nymph:
The nymph is the longest stage of the life cycle.
They live and grow amongst the weeds in 4 to
10ft and deeper to 25ft. For several days leading
up to emergence they may make false starts
beginning to ascend then settling back down to
the bottom. They emerge usually in large
numbers, swimming slowly upwards with pauses
until they reach the surface. Near or at the
surface they stop swimming and begin to break
free of their casing, emerging from it as a Dun.
Dun & Spinner:
Once free of it's nymphal casing, the dun will sit
on the surface of the water for up to several
minutes, longer on darker and cooler days. They
look like little sail boats as they drift with wings
held together upward. Once the wings are dry
they fly away to shore to shed another skin. They
return as spinners and mate in dancing midair
swarms. Several days after mating, the fertilized
female returns to the water surface to lay her
eggs, when finished she will lay spent on the
surface with her wings spread out flat. They are
important as trout food as spinners, egg laying
and spent adults. The Mayfly dun and spinner are
the most important dry fly of the summer.
Mayflies are insects whose immature stage (nymph)
usually lasts one year in freshwater. The adults are
short-lived, from a few minutes to a few days
depending on the species. About 2,500 species are
known worldwide, including about 630 species in
North America.The mayfly is very
pollution–sensitive. This means if mayflies are in or
around the water, the water should be of a good
quality.
Mayfly
When to Fish
Nymph:
Year round - The nymph is always present along
the bottom of the lake preferring weed beds. Most
available to trout prior to and during emergence,
usually around midday in cloudy conditions from
mid spring to mid summer, and again in early to
mid fall. Nymph casings and newly hatched duns on
the surface indicate a hatch. Trout will begin
feeding on the false starts of the nymphs near the
bottom prior to emergence; no surface sign will be
evident, consider time of year and look for trout
actively feeding near the bottom. As the hatch
progresses trout will feed on the nymphs from the
bottom to the surface of the water.
Dun:
During mayfly hatches when duns are visible on
lake surface, usually in mid spring to mid summer
and again in early to mid fall. Watch for fish rising
on the surface either boiling or sipping and when
success with a nymph pattern is waning.
Spinner:
Several days after the duns hatch the spinners will
return to lay eggs. Watch for spent or dead females
on the waters surface with wings spread out flat
flush with the water. Trout will be rising for them.
Fly Presentation
Nymph:
Pre emergence - present nymph near or on weedy bottoms of shallows, shoals and drop offs, 4
to 10 ft and deeper to 25 ft. During emergence present nymph from bottom to surface, note
where the fish are feeding and adjust the depth of presentation. Rising fish indicate a take
closer to the surface.
Floating Line - Pre emergence & early in the hatch - Attach enough tippet and more to get to
the lake bottom. To imitate false start activity, retrieve the fly off the bottom then let it settle
back down, continue this process. Later in the hatch imitate swimming emergers by retrieving
the fly upward through the water column. As feeding approaches the surface use an
unweighted nymph just below or on the waters surface. For all floating line presentations in
mild to moderately windy conditions, quarter the wind and let it drift through the desired area,
keep the line tight and retrieve when the line is downwind.
Sinking Line - Pre emergence - Use in depths of 10ft and greater. Cast line and let settle to
near or on the bottom. Work the fly along slowly with short quick jerks every 20 to 30 seconds
to imitate crawling amongst the weeds. To imitate emergers strip the fly slowly upward
through the water column.
Dun:
Fish this fly on the surface over submerged weed beds from where the nymphs are rising.
Present the dun in the path of rising trout and let it sit still. When the trout are feeding more
sporatically, quarter the breeze and let it drift until downwind then recast.
Spinner:
Fish this fly near concentrations of spent naturals and trout feeding activity. Keep the fly still
with occasional twitching.
Fly Retrieval
Nymph:
Floating line - Pre emergence - retrieve 3 inches
over 2 to 3 seconds then pause for several
seconds to settle back to bottom.
Swimming emergers - use several 2 to 3
inch/second retrieves then pause for several
seconds.
Nymphs near or on the surface - twitch slightly to
imitate the nymph struggling to break free of it's
casing.
Sinking line - Pre emergence - retrieve slowly
along the bottom 3 inches/3 seconds with a quick
strip of 3 inches every 20 to 30 seconds.
Emergers - retrieve several times 3 to 4 inches
over 2 to 3 seconds, pause for several seconds.
Always vary retrievals, try short jerks to more
continuous strips and alter the speed.
Flies To Use
Nymph: Half backs, 52 Buick, Hares Ear Nymph, & Blue Dun Nymph in sizes #8 to #16 with
Olive Green, Light & Dark Brown, Dark Grey body colors & Black or Yellow wing cases.
Dun: parachute and post patterns such as the Blue Dun Parachute, Olive Dun, March Brown &
the good old Tom Thumb in sizes 12 to 16.
Spinner: parachute and spent wing patterns such as the Spent Drake, Clear Wing Spinner &
Trico Parachute in sizes 12 to 24.
Fly Colors for both Duns & Spinners in Dull Green, Brown & Grey with Minor Colors in Yellow,
Bronze & Black (Important: Match the Naturals Underside)
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... Some flyguy mayfy patterns:
All our mayfly patterns were developed with 3
things in mind. First and foremost they needed to
imitate the natural, secondly they needed to be
durable to take full advantage of the hatch, and
finally, they needed to be simple to tie. The
following patterns meet the criteria and have
proven successful for us.
The flyguy mayfly was developed on one of the BC interiors most challenging lakes. On it's
first outing the fly proved itself with spectacular results! Not only was it out fishing all other
mayfly nymph patterns but it held together throughout the entire day!
The fly in the photo is the actual prototype and the picture was taken after it had already
caught numerous fish! As you can see it is still in great shape and ready for more action!
Also designed to imitate the natural while enduring the hatch, the Pheasant Tail Hares Ear is
a combination of 2 great traditional patterns with the addition of some strength & flash!
Pheasant Tail Hares Ear
Pheasant Tail Hares Ear - Bubble Head
Next up is our "KISS" mayfly nymph:
All mayfly nymph patterns can be tied in any color combination you like and with or without bead & bubble heads. As usual just contact us and let us know what you need!
The "KISS" mayfly nymph (bubble head version shown above) is slim, similar to the natural,
strong, simple to tie and, best of all, catches fish! What more could you ask for in a fly!
For even more information on mayfly fly patterns visit the fly patterns section of our blog!
And again a big thanks to Rich from Catching-
Shadows.com for contributing these video tying
instructions for his Modified Pheasant Tail Mayfly
Pupa pattern!
Photo by: Ruben Breitkreutz
Photo by: Ruben Breitkreutz
Photo by: Ruben Breitkreutz
Fishing Resources
BC Fishing Regulations
2009 - 2011
2009 - 2011
BC Fishing Licence
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... Online Purchase!
Kamloops & District
Fish & Game Association
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Fish & Game Association
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BC Wildlife Federation
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The fishing Song!
... by Brad Paisley
... by Brad Paisley