The Blue Quill mayflies emerge from the stream in mid-day and continue until dusk. The Quill Gordons are still hatching as well. The spinners of both of these mayflies return to the stream to mate and deposit their eggs into the stream about two hours before dark. With both the duns and spinners on the water at dusk, many trout will be rising and the dry fly fishing is wonderful. Fishing the recommended flies below, will help you catch many wild brook trout in the mountain streams throughout the Shenandoah National Park.
- Blue Quill Mr. Rapidan Dry size 16 or 18
- Blue Quill Dry Fly size 16 or 18
- Copper John, Zebra size 16
- Perdigon Nymph, French size 16
Or if purchase as an assortment of dry flies and nymphs with a leader to cover the Blue Quill hatch.
For more information on the hatches and fly fishing in the Shenandoah National Park, read my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.
Learn to Fly Fish on the native brook trout stream by joining one of our fly fishing schools. We offer these in the George Washington National Forest and the Shenandoah National Park. Each day starts with a classroom presentation then continues on the stream for a full day of learning.