Mayflies - Fly Fishing Guide to Imitating Aquatic Insects

Mayflies are the universal trout food as they can be found in almost all sections of the United States and they are hatching almost all year long. They are the order of “Ephemeroptera” which means short-lived winged insect. Several species of them live in the United States alone. They are indeed the most imitated species of aquatic insect!

When mayflies are hatching and the trout are eagerly taking them, it is the fly fishers dream come true. The major mayfly hatches take place from March to November in the trout waters of the southern states, and even a shorter period in the Northern trout waters, with the prime months being May, June and July. Hatches usually are of a short nature lasting only a few days or even less.

During the mayfly hatch, the duns emerge for only one or two hours and often only return to the water as a spinner until evening or even late in the night. Therefore for any stream or lake, the hatches are active for only short period of time.   During this brief period of time trout are feeding vigerously on the duns as well as the spinners and you definitely want to be ready for them.