Eastern Pale Evening Duns
such as this Ephemerella
species exist in some of the
park's streams but the crawler
nymph stage of this mayfly is not
well suited to fast water habitat.
The majority of the park's
mayflies come from clinger
nymphs.
such as this Ephemerella
species exist in some of the
park's streams but the crawler
nymph stage of this mayfly is not
well suited to fast water habitat.
The majority of the park's
mayflies come from clinger
nymphs.
Small Blue-winged Olives such
as this one, are not always olive.
This one is a rusty color dun with
blue wings.
as this one, are not always olive.
This one is a rusty color dun with
blue wings.
Mayflies of the Smokies:
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
Quill Gordons or Epeorus
pleuralis is one of the more
common mayflies in the park.
They emerge beneath the
surface of the water.
pleuralis is one of the more
common mayflies in the park.
They emerge beneath the
surface of the water.
A Large Brook Trout is one of the
real trophies that you can catch in
the park. Most of the brookies are
unique in that they are a different
species from the Northern Brook
Trout.
They are not nearly as picky about
the insects they eat as the other
species of trout in the park.
real trophies that you can catch in
the park. Most of the brookies are
unique in that they are a different
species from the Northern Brook
Trout.
They are not nearly as picky about
the insects they eat as the other
species of trout in the park.
Jenny Spinners:
The tiny jenny spinners are
spinners of a small blue-winged
olive species. They are very
abundant in the park.
The tiny jenny spinners are
spinners of a small blue-winged
olive species. They are very
abundant in the park.
A few families of mayflies, especially those that
are clinger nymphs, are plentiful in the Smokies.
The crawlers exist in the park but are usually not
very plentiful. There are also a few genera of
swimmers, especially the Slate Drakes or
Isonychia bicolors as well as several genera of
Blue-winged Olives and Little Blue-winged
Olives. There are even a few species of
burrowers although they are few and far between.
Imitations of mayflies are over fished by most
anglers that fish the park's streams. They often
tie a mayfly dun pattern on when there isn't a
chance for a hatch. That said, however, it is
certainly not an insect to ignore.
are clinger nymphs, are plentiful in the Smokies.
The crawlers exist in the park but are usually not
very plentiful. There are also a few genera of
swimmers, especially the Slate Drakes or
Isonychia bicolors as well as several genera of
Blue-winged Olives and Little Blue-winged
Olives. There are even a few species of
burrowers although they are few and far between.
Imitations of mayflies are over fished by most
anglers that fish the park's streams. They often
tie a mayfly dun pattern on when there isn't a
chance for a hatch. That said, however, it is
certainly not an insect to ignore.
Brown Duns:
Ameletus species, called Brown Duns exist but
are rare. They hatch out of the water and the
nymphs are the only stage that could be
important to anglers. These swimming nymphs
look very similar to the Slate Drake nymphs which
are far more prevalent. An imitation of it would
work for either mayfly nymph.
Blue-winged Olives:
Beatis species, called Blue-winged Olives are
fairly common in the park. Both the brunneicolor
and the intercalaris species exist in many of the
streams as well as other baetis species that are
not very plentiful. These range in a hook size from
18 to 22.
Little Blue-winged Olives:
There are also some "Little Blue-Winged Olives"
or Acentrella species. These are usually a hook
size 20 to 26.
Eastern Blue-Winged Olives:
The Drunella species called "Eastern Blue
Winged Olives" are also found in the park's
streams. They are fairly common but they almost
never hatch with any consistency. Unless you
begin to spot them on a frequent basis, we
suggest you do not get over exited about them.
They are usually a hook size 16 or 18.
Small Eastern Blue-winged Olives:
They are also some Attenella species that are
fairly common. These mayflies, usually called
"Small Eastern Blue-Winged Olives" are just
another Blue-winged Olive mayfly to most
anglers. They hatch on the bottom however and
should be imitated differently than most of the
other Blue-winged Olive species. They are a hook
size 18.
You will find that some of the Blue-Winged Olive
species and Little Blue-Winged Olive species are
bi-brooded or hatch twice a year. Several of them
appear later on in the year in the late summer, fall
or early winter months.
Sulphur and Eastern Pale Evening Duns:
There are a few Ephemerella dorothea species,
or Sulphur Duns as well as a few Ephemerella
species, called Eastern Pale Evening Duns in
portions of some streams but for the most part,
they are scarce. These are crawler nymphs and
prefer slower more moderate water than
generally exist in the park. They are usually only
found in small quantities in isolated areas of
certain streams. These range from a 14 to 16
hook size.
Hendricksons and Red Quills:
The Hendricksons also exist in a few streams in
the park but like the other Ephemerella species,
the subvaria is generally not found in any large
quantities. Smaller, isolated locations within the
stream, usually in moderated water, can
sometimes provide good hatches of them.
The spinner fall is the most important stage of
this hatch. The Hendrickson male dun and Red
Quill female dun both cause trout to go nuts if you
are lucky enough to find a spinner fall of any
intensity. These are a hook size 12 to 14.
Little and Large Dark Hendricksons:
There are some Serratella species , Little Dark
Hendricksons and some Timpanoga species,
called Large Dark Hendricksons that are
occasionally found in some streams but neither
are abundant. The ones we have found were
isolated cases and never in any quantities
sufficient to case the trout to pay much attention
to them.
Eastern Green Drakes:
Something unique to only Abrams Creek, as far
as we have determined, is the Eastern Green
Drake or Ephemera guttulata . We would imagine
that this mayfly could get the trout going big time
in the upper portion of Abrams Creek but since
the spinner fall of the coffin fly is the most
important stage of this hatch, it doesn't do anyone
any good. Visitors to Cades Cove are supposed
to leave by sunset which is before the spinner fall
occurs. The spinner fall happens just before and
continues until well after dark.
The duns hatch spasmodically throughout the
day, but not in any concentrated fashion. You may
do well during the day, however, fishing a nymph
imitating the big burrowing nymphs emerging
into the huge duns. They can range in hook sizes
from 6 to 10.
Brown Drakes:
We have also spotted an occasional Brown
Drake, or Ephemera simulans. They are rather
rare however.
Dark Red Quill:
The Cinygmula subaequalis or Dark Red Quill
may also be found in isolated locations in the
park but are rather rare.
Quill Gordon:
The Epeorus pleuralis or Quill Gordon, is one of
the most important hatches in the park. A few
years ago we found a tremendous hatch on the
Middle Fork of the Little River. There was truly a
blizzard of mayflies. Other than that however, we
have only found them in large quantities only in
isolated locations but in all of the streams. In
other words they usually are not hatching
continuously from one end of the stream to the
other. They are only in spots. You may have to
move around a little to find a hatch (if you do so at
the right time) but you usually can. They are fairly
common and are a hook size 12 to 14.
This hatch is best imitated with a wet fly because
the duns hatch on the bottom or between the
bottom and the surface. They do not hatch on the
surface. They will float down the streams in the
cold water for a few feet before departing the
water and they trout will take some from the
surface very aggressively even in the colder
water. Most anglers prefer a dry fly imitation and
the dry imitation of the dun will work most of the
time, just not as effectively as the wet fly. These
mayflies hatch at about 50 degrees F.
The spinner fall, which occurs late in the day just
prior to dark, is also very productive. Few anglers
take advantage of it. The spinners will congregate
above the riffles and runs near the same place
they hatched and eventually fall spent in the
water. Often you can do better fishing the heads
of the pools at the ends of the runs and riffles
where they begin to congregate. This is usually
after darkness sets in after most anglers have left
the stream.
Slate Drake:
The Isonychia bicolor or Slate Drakes are fairly
plentiful in all the streams of the smokies. These
are large swimming nymphs. The duns hatch out
of the water on the bank and rocks and is not a
productive stage to match. They do not hatch in
any concentration, rather periodically throughout
the day. This hatch will occur heavier in the early
summer and late spring and again in the late
summer or early fall. They are not bi-brooded. It is
just an extended hatch that varies in intensity. The
spinner fall which happens near dusk or after can
be important if there are enough flies falling in the
water to get the trout's attention. They are a hook
sizes 10 to 14. A larger nymph will some action
imitates these strong swimmers better than a
dead drift. Little wooley buggers will even work.
Blue Quills:
The Paraleptophlebia adoptive or Blue Quill is
one of the better hatches in the park's streams.
The small mayflies are usually plentiful and the
trout can become selective feeding on them. They
hatch very early in the year, late winter or early
spring before or at the same time the Quill
Gordons hatch. They are best imitated by fishing
the quieter, smooth water adjacent to the banks
of the stream, not in the fast water. These are
small mayflies that are a hook size 18. They can
be found in very large quantities and hatch over a
longer period of time than the Quill Gordons.
Mahogany Duns:
Something overlooked by most all anglers is the
late summer and early fall hatches of the
Paraleptophlebia species like the mollis. These
hatches can be prolific. They too are small dark
colored mayflies usually a size 18 or less. Like
the spring hatches of adopitive, they hatch in
calm areas of shallow water adjacent to the
faster water. During the typical low water of this
time of the season, trout feeding on these
mayflies can be very easy to spook. Often it is
necessary to use long, light leaders and tippets
and make very careful approaches. This is tough
fishing but can be extremely productive when late
summer and early fall, low, clear water conditions
are referred to as to tough.
American March Browns:
The American March Brown, or Maccaffertium
vicarium, is another important mayfly hatch.
These large clinger nymphs hatch throughout the
day over a long period of time. It is rare to find a
large number of them hatching at any one time.
The spinner fall can be significant. It occurs just
before dark and can be very prolific. As with any of
the mayflies that deposit their eggs and die very
late in the day or at dusk, the spinners can be
very difficult to see. You may have to carefully
examine the surface of the water or use a skim
net to determine if the spinner fall is occurring.
Often, the sounds of feeding trout is a better
indicator.
These mayflies hatch over a long period of time.
They are smaller later in the year. Hook sizes will
range from 10 to 12. In fact the "Gray Fox" was the
common name for what at one time was thought
to be a separate species. Actually it was
determined to be just a lighter, smaller version of
the American March Brown. These are big
beautiful mayflies, but usually produce less
results than you would expect them too.
Sometimes, swinging a wet imitation of the
emerging nymph, in the fast water where they
hatch is more effective than fishing the large dun
imitation.
Light Cahills:
Another important mayfly is the Stenacron
interpunctatum better known as the Light Cahill.
Like the March Browns, the Light Cahills usually
hatch in smaller numbers throughout the
afternoon and over a long period of duration.
Their spinner falls can also be more important
than the hatch.
These are clinger nymphs that stay hidden down
and between the rocks and are usually not
available for the trout to eat until they begin to
emerge or during the low light hours when they
feed. Nymph imitations are usually only very
productive just prior to the hatch and again, it is
usually spread out, not prolific or condensed into
a short period of time. Like the March Browns, the
only time you may find many of them at one time
is during the spinner falls which is usually at or
after dark depending on the weather. These are
usually a hook size 12 to 14.
Cream Cahills:
In addition but usually later in the year you will
begin to see some other Maccaffertium species
called Cream Cahills. These hatch in even less
quantities and are almost always sparse
hatches. Many anglers call these Light Cahills
because they are very similar in looks. They are
usually just a lighter version and late in the
summer can be almost an off white or light
cream color.
They are clingers that behave like the Light
Cahills and March Browns. The Cream Cahills
range from a hook size 12 to 16.
One of these is the Maccaffertium ithaca species
found in the park that is incorrectly called a Light
Cahill. These hatches occur later than the
interpunctatum hatches generally, but are very
difficult to tie down to a certain time period. You
may find them in June, July and August, usually
later in the summer more so than early in the
summer. They are a hook size 14.
Little Yellow Quills:
Species of the Leucrocuta and Heptagenia
genera, more commonly referred to as the
Heptagenia Group of mayflies usually called
Yellow Quills and sometimes Pale Evening
Duns, exist in the park's streams. These clinger
mayflies can be prolific at certain elevations and
times of the year. You can alway find them in the
late summer and early fall in the small high
elevation brook trout streams although they exist
may other places. They are most often confused
by anglers with the Cahills and are similar in both
looks and behavior. Some anglers think the Light
Cahills hatch for months and one reason is
confusing them with the Little Yellow Quills.
There is little difference in the behavior of these
and the other clinger nymph mayflies. These are
usually a hook size 16 to 18.
Summary:
As you can see, most of the mayfly hatches that
occur in the park's streams are light hatches.
Again, this is not typical only of the Great Smoky
Mountain National Park streams but most any
small freestone, mountain stream. The
Blue-Winged Olives (because there are so many
different ones); the Blue Quills and the Quill
Gordons are the more prolific mayfly hatches that
occur. We suggest that you have specific patterns
to represent the nymphs, emergers, duns and
spinners of at least these mayflies. It would be
better if you had imitations of the March Browns,
Cream and Light Cahills, Little Yellow Quills,
Slate Drakes (nymphs and spinners),
Hendricksons and Red Quills; Sulphurs and Pale
Evening Duns. Remember, an important hatch is
a hatch that is occurring when you are there.
Copyright 2007 James Marsh
Ameletus species, called Brown Duns exist but
are rare. They hatch out of the water and the
nymphs are the only stage that could be
important to anglers. These swimming nymphs
look very similar to the Slate Drake nymphs which
are far more prevalent. An imitation of it would
work for either mayfly nymph.
Blue-winged Olives:
Beatis species, called Blue-winged Olives are
fairly common in the park. Both the brunneicolor
and the intercalaris species exist in many of the
streams as well as other baetis species that are
not very plentiful. These range in a hook size from
18 to 22.
Little Blue-winged Olives:
There are also some "Little Blue-Winged Olives"
or Acentrella species. These are usually a hook
size 20 to 26.
Eastern Blue-Winged Olives:
The Drunella species called "Eastern Blue
Winged Olives" are also found in the park's
streams. They are fairly common but they almost
never hatch with any consistency. Unless you
begin to spot them on a frequent basis, we
suggest you do not get over exited about them.
They are usually a hook size 16 or 18.
Small Eastern Blue-winged Olives:
They are also some Attenella species that are
fairly common. These mayflies, usually called
"Small Eastern Blue-Winged Olives" are just
another Blue-winged Olive mayfly to most
anglers. They hatch on the bottom however and
should be imitated differently than most of the
other Blue-winged Olive species. They are a hook
size 18.
You will find that some of the Blue-Winged Olive
species and Little Blue-Winged Olive species are
bi-brooded or hatch twice a year. Several of them
appear later on in the year in the late summer, fall
or early winter months.
Sulphur and Eastern Pale Evening Duns:
There are a few Ephemerella dorothea species,
or Sulphur Duns as well as a few Ephemerella
species, called Eastern Pale Evening Duns in
portions of some streams but for the most part,
they are scarce. These are crawler nymphs and
prefer slower more moderate water than
generally exist in the park. They are usually only
found in small quantities in isolated areas of
certain streams. These range from a 14 to 16
hook size.
Hendricksons and Red Quills:
The Hendricksons also exist in a few streams in
the park but like the other Ephemerella species,
the subvaria is generally not found in any large
quantities. Smaller, isolated locations within the
stream, usually in moderated water, can
sometimes provide good hatches of them.
The spinner fall is the most important stage of
this hatch. The Hendrickson male dun and Red
Quill female dun both cause trout to go nuts if you
are lucky enough to find a spinner fall of any
intensity. These are a hook size 12 to 14.
Little and Large Dark Hendricksons:
There are some Serratella species , Little Dark
Hendricksons and some Timpanoga species,
called Large Dark Hendricksons that are
occasionally found in some streams but neither
are abundant. The ones we have found were
isolated cases and never in any quantities
sufficient to case the trout to pay much attention
to them.
Eastern Green Drakes:
Something unique to only Abrams Creek, as far
as we have determined, is the Eastern Green
Drake or Ephemera guttulata . We would imagine
that this mayfly could get the trout going big time
in the upper portion of Abrams Creek but since
the spinner fall of the coffin fly is the most
important stage of this hatch, it doesn't do anyone
any good. Visitors to Cades Cove are supposed
to leave by sunset which is before the spinner fall
occurs. The spinner fall happens just before and
continues until well after dark.
The duns hatch spasmodically throughout the
day, but not in any concentrated fashion. You may
do well during the day, however, fishing a nymph
imitating the big burrowing nymphs emerging
into the huge duns. They can range in hook sizes
from 6 to 10.
Brown Drakes:
We have also spotted an occasional Brown
Drake, or Ephemera simulans. They are rather
rare however.
Dark Red Quill:
The Cinygmula subaequalis or Dark Red Quill
may also be found in isolated locations in the
park but are rather rare.
Quill Gordon:
The Epeorus pleuralis or Quill Gordon, is one of
the most important hatches in the park. A few
years ago we found a tremendous hatch on the
Middle Fork of the Little River. There was truly a
blizzard of mayflies. Other than that however, we
have only found them in large quantities only in
isolated locations but in all of the streams. In
other words they usually are not hatching
continuously from one end of the stream to the
other. They are only in spots. You may have to
move around a little to find a hatch (if you do so at
the right time) but you usually can. They are fairly
common and are a hook size 12 to 14.
This hatch is best imitated with a wet fly because
the duns hatch on the bottom or between the
bottom and the surface. They do not hatch on the
surface. They will float down the streams in the
cold water for a few feet before departing the
water and they trout will take some from the
surface very aggressively even in the colder
water. Most anglers prefer a dry fly imitation and
the dry imitation of the dun will work most of the
time, just not as effectively as the wet fly. These
mayflies hatch at about 50 degrees F.
The spinner fall, which occurs late in the day just
prior to dark, is also very productive. Few anglers
take advantage of it. The spinners will congregate
above the riffles and runs near the same place
they hatched and eventually fall spent in the
water. Often you can do better fishing the heads
of the pools at the ends of the runs and riffles
where they begin to congregate. This is usually
after darkness sets in after most anglers have left
the stream.
Slate Drake:
The Isonychia bicolor or Slate Drakes are fairly
plentiful in all the streams of the smokies. These
are large swimming nymphs. The duns hatch out
of the water on the bank and rocks and is not a
productive stage to match. They do not hatch in
any concentration, rather periodically throughout
the day. This hatch will occur heavier in the early
summer and late spring and again in the late
summer or early fall. They are not bi-brooded. It is
just an extended hatch that varies in intensity. The
spinner fall which happens near dusk or after can
be important if there are enough flies falling in the
water to get the trout's attention. They are a hook
sizes 10 to 14. A larger nymph will some action
imitates these strong swimmers better than a
dead drift. Little wooley buggers will even work.
Blue Quills:
The Paraleptophlebia adoptive or Blue Quill is
one of the better hatches in the park's streams.
The small mayflies are usually plentiful and the
trout can become selective feeding on them. They
hatch very early in the year, late winter or early
spring before or at the same time the Quill
Gordons hatch. They are best imitated by fishing
the quieter, smooth water adjacent to the banks
of the stream, not in the fast water. These are
small mayflies that are a hook size 18. They can
be found in very large quantities and hatch over a
longer period of time than the Quill Gordons.
Mahogany Duns:
Something overlooked by most all anglers is the
late summer and early fall hatches of the
Paraleptophlebia species like the mollis. These
hatches can be prolific. They too are small dark
colored mayflies usually a size 18 or less. Like
the spring hatches of adopitive, they hatch in
calm areas of shallow water adjacent to the
faster water. During the typical low water of this
time of the season, trout feeding on these
mayflies can be very easy to spook. Often it is
necessary to use long, light leaders and tippets
and make very careful approaches. This is tough
fishing but can be extremely productive when late
summer and early fall, low, clear water conditions
are referred to as to tough.
American March Browns:
The American March Brown, or Maccaffertium
vicarium, is another important mayfly hatch.
These large clinger nymphs hatch throughout the
day over a long period of time. It is rare to find a
large number of them hatching at any one time.
The spinner fall can be significant. It occurs just
before dark and can be very prolific. As with any of
the mayflies that deposit their eggs and die very
late in the day or at dusk, the spinners can be
very difficult to see. You may have to carefully
examine the surface of the water or use a skim
net to determine if the spinner fall is occurring.
Often, the sounds of feeding trout is a better
indicator.
These mayflies hatch over a long period of time.
They are smaller later in the year. Hook sizes will
range from 10 to 12. In fact the "Gray Fox" was the
common name for what at one time was thought
to be a separate species. Actually it was
determined to be just a lighter, smaller version of
the American March Brown. These are big
beautiful mayflies, but usually produce less
results than you would expect them too.
Sometimes, swinging a wet imitation of the
emerging nymph, in the fast water where they
hatch is more effective than fishing the large dun
imitation.
Light Cahills:
Another important mayfly is the Stenacron
interpunctatum better known as the Light Cahill.
Like the March Browns, the Light Cahills usually
hatch in smaller numbers throughout the
afternoon and over a long period of duration.
Their spinner falls can also be more important
than the hatch.
These are clinger nymphs that stay hidden down
and between the rocks and are usually not
available for the trout to eat until they begin to
emerge or during the low light hours when they
feed. Nymph imitations are usually only very
productive just prior to the hatch and again, it is
usually spread out, not prolific or condensed into
a short period of time. Like the March Browns, the
only time you may find many of them at one time
is during the spinner falls which is usually at or
after dark depending on the weather. These are
usually a hook size 12 to 14.
Cream Cahills:
In addition but usually later in the year you will
begin to see some other Maccaffertium species
called Cream Cahills. These hatch in even less
quantities and are almost always sparse
hatches. Many anglers call these Light Cahills
because they are very similar in looks. They are
usually just a lighter version and late in the
summer can be almost an off white or light
cream color.
They are clingers that behave like the Light
Cahills and March Browns. The Cream Cahills
range from a hook size 12 to 16.
One of these is the Maccaffertium ithaca species
found in the park that is incorrectly called a Light
Cahill. These hatches occur later than the
interpunctatum hatches generally, but are very
difficult to tie down to a certain time period. You
may find them in June, July and August, usually
later in the summer more so than early in the
summer. They are a hook size 14.
Little Yellow Quills:
Species of the Leucrocuta and Heptagenia
genera, more commonly referred to as the
Heptagenia Group of mayflies usually called
Yellow Quills and sometimes Pale Evening
Duns, exist in the park's streams. These clinger
mayflies can be prolific at certain elevations and
times of the year. You can alway find them in the
late summer and early fall in the small high
elevation brook trout streams although they exist
may other places. They are most often confused
by anglers with the Cahills and are similar in both
looks and behavior. Some anglers think the Light
Cahills hatch for months and one reason is
confusing them with the Little Yellow Quills.
There is little difference in the behavior of these
and the other clinger nymph mayflies. These are
usually a hook size 16 to 18.
Summary:
As you can see, most of the mayfly hatches that
occur in the park's streams are light hatches.
Again, this is not typical only of the Great Smoky
Mountain National Park streams but most any
small freestone, mountain stream. The
Blue-Winged Olives (because there are so many
different ones); the Blue Quills and the Quill
Gordons are the more prolific mayfly hatches that
occur. We suggest that you have specific patterns
to represent the nymphs, emergers, duns and
spinners of at least these mayflies. It would be
better if you had imitations of the March Browns,
Cream and Light Cahills, Little Yellow Quills,
Slate Drakes (nymphs and spinners),
Hendricksons and Red Quills; Sulphurs and Pale
Evening Duns. Remember, an important hatch is
a hatch that is occurring when you are there.
Copyright 2007 James Marsh
Large Green Drake Duns can
sometimes be found in Abrams
Creek. However, the most
important stage of this hatch is the
spinner fall. The duns hatch off
and on throughout the day never in
any concentrations.
sometimes be found in Abrams
Creek. However, the most
important stage of this hatch is the
spinner fall. The duns hatch off
and on throughout the day never in
any concentrations.
The Coffin Fly, or the spinner of
the Green Drake, is the most
important stage of the hatch
because they fall just before and
after dark in large numbers. The
females are much larger than the
males. Anglers are not supposed
to be in Cades Cove on the upper
portion of Abrams Creek when
this event occurs.
the Green Drake, is the most
important stage of the hatch
because they fall just before and
after dark in large numbers. The
females are much larger than the
males. Anglers are not supposed
to be in Cades Cove on the upper
portion of Abrams Creek when
this event occurs.
Blue-winged Olives are fairly
common in the part's streams.
Some species are bi-brooded
and provide action for the angler
during both a spring and a fall
hatch. The little swimming
nymphs are available year round
however. As you can see from
this image, some of the
blue-winged olives are very small
when compared to the thumb and
forefinger. This one lit on my shirt.
common in the part's streams.
Some species are bi-brooded
and provide action for the angler
during both a spring and a fall
hatch. The little swimming
nymphs are available year round
however. As you can see from
this image, some of the
blue-winged olives are very small
when compared to the thumb and
forefinger. This one lit on my shirt.
Little Yellow Quills such as this
one are part of what is called the
Heptagenia Group of mayflies.
They are very common in the park
especially during the late
summer and early fall. Most
anglers confuse them with the
Light Cahills. The duns do look
similar.
one are part of what is called the
Heptagenia Group of mayflies.
They are very common in the park
especially during the late
summer and early fall. Most
anglers confuse them with the
Light Cahills. The duns do look
similar.
Sulphur Duns such as this
Ephemerella species exist in
some of the park's streams but
the crawler nymph stage of this
mayfly is not well suited to fast
water habitat.
Ephemerella species exist in
some of the park's streams but
the crawler nymph stage of this
mayfly is not well suited to fast
water habitat.
Slate Drake Spinners or
Isonychia bicolor are the only
fishable stage of the hatch. The
duns hatch out of the water.
Isonychia bicolor are the only
fishable stage of the hatch. The
duns hatch out of the water.
Clinger Nymphs of the
Heptagenia Group such as this
one look a lot like other clinger
nymphs except they are usually
darker colored.
Heptagenia Group such as this
one look a lot like other clinger
nymphs except they are usually
darker colored.
March Brown Duns or
Maccaffertium varicium species
are common in the park.
Maccaffertium varicium species
are common in the park.
Blue Quill Spinners or
Paraleptophlebia species are
very plentiful in the park's
streams. Most anglers fail to take
advantage of the spinner falls.
Paraleptophlebia species are
very plentiful in the park's
streams. Most anglers fail to take
advantage of the spinner falls.
Cream Cahills, Maccaffertium
species, can almost be white in
the late summer and early fall
months. These mayflies exist in
the park but not in large
quantities.
species, can almost be white in
the late summer and early fall
months. These mayflies exist in
the park but not in large
quantities.
Light Cahill Spinners or
Stenacron interpunctatums, are
fairly plentiful at times. The duns
hatch off and on most of the day
usually in sparse quantities.
Stenacron interpunctatums, are
fairly plentiful at times. The duns
hatch off and on most of the day
usually in sparse quantities.
Eastern Blue-winged Olives or
Drunella species are the largest
of all the blue-winged olives that
hatch in the park. The problem is
that you rarely find but a few at
any one time. They hatch in the
early to mid summer months
after most other mayflies have
hatched.
Drunella species are the largest
of all the blue-winged olives that
hatch in the park. The problem is
that you rarely find but a few at
any one time. They hatch in the
early to mid summer months
after most other mayflies have
hatched.
Slate Drake Nymphs, are
swimmers. They dart around
much like a minnow. Trout eat a
lot of these nymphs. .
swimmers. They dart around
much like a minnow. Trout eat a
lot of these nymphs. .
March Brown Nymphs or
Maccaffertium varicium species
are large mayfly nymphs with very
long tails. There are always a lot
of them in any stream you check.
The problem is that they stay
hidden most of the time down in
and underneath the rocks. .
Maccaffertium varicium species
are large mayfly nymphs with very
long tails. There are always a lot
of them in any stream you check.
The problem is that they stay
hidden most of the time down in
and underneath the rocks. .
Tiny baetis nymphs are
swimmers. Trout eat a lot of
these where they are available.
swimmers. Trout eat a lot of
these where they are available.
Site Map (Click on Links)
Abrams Creek Fishing Methods Marine Food Species
Anthony Creek Forney Creek Mayflies Spring
Big Creek Freestone Streams Midges Stoneflies
Beginners Recommended Gear Misc N.C. Streams Straight Creek
Caddisflies Hatches Misc Tenn. Streams Streams
Casting Hazel Creek Middle Prong Little Pigeon River Summer Season
Cataloochee Creek Headwater Stream Middle Prong Little River Terrestrials
Cosby Creek Caddisfly Imitations Noland Creek Twenty Mile Creek
Deep Creek Mayfly Imitations Oconaluftee River Wild Trout
Midge Imitations Other Aquatic Insects Winter Season
Eagel Creek Home PH West Prong Little Pigeon River
East Prong Little River Stonefly Imitations Presentation West Prong Little River
Fall Season Streamers Raven Fork Spring Hatch Chart
About Us Terrestrial Imitations Reading Hatch Charts Summer Hatch Chart
Recommended Flies Links Seasons Winter Hatch Chart
Fall Hatch Chart
Abrams Creek Fishing Methods Marine Food Species
Anthony Creek Forney Creek Mayflies Spring
Big Creek Freestone Streams Midges Stoneflies
Beginners Recommended Gear Misc N.C. Streams Straight Creek
Caddisflies Hatches Misc Tenn. Streams Streams
Casting Hazel Creek Middle Prong Little Pigeon River Summer Season
Cataloochee Creek Headwater Stream Middle Prong Little River Terrestrials
Cosby Creek Caddisfly Imitations Noland Creek Twenty Mile Creek
Deep Creek Mayfly Imitations Oconaluftee River Wild Trout
Midge Imitations Other Aquatic Insects Winter Season
Eagel Creek Home PH West Prong Little Pigeon River
East Prong Little River Stonefly Imitations Presentation West Prong Little River
Fall Season Streamers Raven Fork Spring Hatch Chart
About Us Terrestrial Imitations Reading Hatch Charts Summer Hatch Chart
Recommended Flies Links Seasons Winter Hatch Chart
Fall Hatch Chart
Eastern Blue-winged Olive
nymphs are common in some
streams
nymphs are common in some
streams
One of the Little Blue-winged
Olive species. These are tiny
nymphs - about a hook size 24.
Olive species. These are tiny
nymphs - about a hook size 24.