Hendrickson nymph's are one of the most abundant nymphs found in our Michigan streams. A study was performed by a entomologist who once surveyed a section on the North Branch of the Au Sable River, in Michigan and he found in a one square foot of river bottom over 1000 of these nymphs! They can be fished all year round and as spring nears the steams swell with snow melt and rain so weighting them may be helpful, they are also a great searching pattern.
THE RECIPE
HOOK: Standard or 1x long - size 14-16
THREAD: Brown 6/0 or 8/0
WEIGHT: Wire or Bead (optional)
RIB: Fine copper wire (optional)
TAIL: Wood duck flank or mallard dyed wood duck flank
ABDOMEN: Natural fur dubbing - brown
WING CASE: Turkey tail - treated
THORAX: Natural fur dubbing - brown
LEGS: Mottled brown feather
* Other popular nymphs are pheasant tail and hare's ear
Family: ephemerellidae
Genus: ephemerella
Species: subvaria
Common Name: Hendrickson
Nymphs (larvae) - nymphs live about one year, feeding on algae and other plant matter. There are 4 types of nymphs; clingers, crawlers, swimmers, and burrowers.
Fishing Instructions Best results are usually found in and around riffle water but many trout have been taken by fishing banks and undercuts using this pattern. Weight with a tin split shot 7-8 inches up the tippet to get the fly into the zone when the fish are feeding near the bottom.
