Mayfly Time!

It’s been a very long, late winter but we’re still here, and Nova Scotia’s long-awaited mayfly hatch should begin very soon. Fly tyers Bill and Chris Williams of Sheet Harbour are ready. Here are some flies they recommend as mayfly imitations. The photo shows, clockwise from top left, Mayfly, Blue Dun, Bill’s Emerger, & Blue Upright.

Like the mayfly being imitated, these are wispy flies that don’t float well once they are covered in trout body protective slime. They need to be rinsed, dried and redressed to float again. Bill’s Emerger is an exception because it can be fished effectively both wet and dry. A good plan is to hit the trout trail with at least six of each of the above patterns. That way we’re likely to be ready for whatever great adventure comes our way to help us forget last winter.

Mayfly

Hook –                       River Magic Natural Bend hooks, size 12

Thread –                    Black

Tail -                           Black moosehair

Body –                        Black thread

Wing -                        Blue dun duck quill

Hackle -                     Black cock saddle

Head -                        Black thread finished with 2 coats of Pro Lac head cement

Blue Dun

Hook –                       River Magic Natural Bend hooks, size 12

Thread –                    Black

Tail -                           Blue dun cock fibers

Body –                        Blue dun goose shoulder fiber, wrapped

Wing -                        Blue dun duck quill

Hackle -                     Blue dun cock saddle

Head -                        Black thread finished with 2 coats of Pro Lac head cement

Bill’s Emerger

Hook –                       River Magic Natural Bend hooks, size 10-12

Thread –                    Black

Tail -                           Black Moosehair

Body –                        Black moosehair, wrapped

Wing -                        3 soft blue dun marabou tips

Wing Case -              Peacock herl pulled forward over thorax & tied down

Thorax -                     Peacock herl, wrapped

Hackle (legs) -          Black cock saddle

Head -                        Black thread finished with 2 coats of Pro Lac head cement

Blue Upright

Hook –                       River Magic Natural Bend hooks, size 12

Thread –                    Black

Tail -                           Black moosehair

Body –                        Black thread

Wing -                        None

Hackle -                     Blue dun cock saddle

Head -                        Black thread finished with 2 coats of Pro Lac head cement

Please send comments and suggestions to slim@rivermagic.ca

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