Conewago Creek Pennsylvania: Early Season Fly HatchesThe Conewago is showing sporadic hatches of the classic early season fly hatches. Quill Gordons (Eperous sp.), Hendricksons (Ephemerella subvaria) and Blue Quills (Paraleptophlebia sp.) These flies typical hatch during the warmest period of the day 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. But this is just a general rule. Spinner returns are usually around 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Quill GordonNymphs: Duns emerge underwater and usually crawl to down side of the rocks. Our best imitation is a Hare's Ear Wetfly G.R. in sizes 12-16. Remember the duns stuggle to emerge on the sides of the streams usually. Dry Fly: We still like Art Flick's Quill Gordon: Size 12-16 Wings: Flank Feather of Wood duck or Mandarin Body: Peacock Quill with fine Gold Wire Hackle: Natural Medium Blue Dun Tails: Blue Dun
HendricksonNymphs: Are quite active prior to emergence. We like sizes 12-16. Nymphs are brownish grey with areas of tannish to yellowish cream on some streams and stretches. On other streams or stretches of the same stream they may be blackish with light areas. Here are two of our favorite patterns. Macri's Dark Hendrickson Nymph Size 12-16 Tails: Dark Wood duck Body: Mix dark grey and black rabbit fur with a slight amount of yellow cream. Thorax area should be darker. Wrap abdomen with copper wire. Use a dark feather for the wing cases. Legs: Use wooduck fibers again. The use of wooduck is important because when wet with the back light of the stream these fibers resemble the acutal legs of natural nymphs. Macri's Light Hendrickson Nymph Tails: Wood duck fibers Body: Mix Medium dark brown with 1/4 tan and yellow fur. Dark Wing Cases on Thorax Legs: Wood duck fibers
Hendrickson Dry Fly Sizes: 12-16 Wings: Wood duck or Poly in medium to dark grey Body: Ruddy colored fur or stripped quill (Red Quill as described by Art Flick). Hackle: Natural Blue Dun Tails: Blue Dun
The Early Season Blue QuillThe nymphs of these flies are typically size 16. We like the following pattern. Macri's Blue Quill Nymph Note Blue Quills may emerge as early as 11:00 a.m on the stream. Tails: Light grey hackle wisps Body: Abdomen-Light Tannish Fur ribbed with gold wire with greyish brown maribou (or other soft fibers) for the gills. Thorax medium dark brown fur with dark brown wing cases. Nymphs lie along the edges of the stream and move upstream. Dry Fly Size 16 Tails: Grey hackle wisps Body: dark to light tannish brown with dark rings on the abdomen; so rib your fur with a Clark's yarn to imitate this Wings: Dark Blue Grey Poly or wing material Hackle: Dark Blue Dun Hackle Tails: Dark Blue Dun |
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