The Quill Gordon is the first major mayfly hatch to occur on the native brook trout streams in the Spring. After spending almost a full year on a stream bottom, the nymph prepares to leave the stream as the dun. This may be done by either swimming to the surface in the nymph form, or as in the case of the Quill Gordon, by popping his wings on the stream bottom and swimming to the surface.
By the middle of March they are moving to the downstream sections of the riffles as they put on their final growth spurt. The trout feed heavily on them when they are in this stage. I approach these riffles from below and cast a Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph upstream so it lands at the bottom of the riffle. Getting tight on the nymph with my line hand, I am very careful to assure that it drifts back downstream just like a real nymph. Watching the indicator on my Murray’s Mountain Leader, I can quickly discern the strike and hook him quickly.
These are the flies that I recommend to cover the Quill Gordon hatch.
- Quill Gordon Dry size 14, 16
- Quill Gordon Nymph size 14
- Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry size 14
- Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry size 16
- Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 12
- Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 14
- Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 12
- Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14
- Murray’s Mountain Leader 6ft 5X
Learn more about the hatches in Harry Murray’s book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park