Headwater Hatch

The Eporus mayflies are very active in the extreme headwaters of many mountain streams now.  Large populations of these nymph can be found in the well-aerated riffles in the heads of the pools.  Upon natures signal they swim to the surface where they become delicate immature duns.

Both the emerging nymphs and the drifting duns are important foods for the trout.  This natural combination can be effectively mimicked by fishing a Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry 14 with a Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Brown 14 on a two foot mono-dropper below it.

An effective tactic is to enter the stream below the lip at the end of the pools.  Look across the pool carefully to locate any surface feeding trout then fish to these specific trout.  If you do not spot feeding trout just fish each feeding station carefully with this two fly combination.  Fish all the way up to the riffles with this system and you’ll catch many trout.