The Hedrickson Transitional CDC Nymph is an excellent trout pattern to use for the ephemerella subvaria emergence (Hendrickson) here in Michigan. The use of CDC in mayfly patterns like this one, was originated by Rene Harrop. Rene is the proprietor of the House of Harrop which can be found on the Henry's Fork in Island Park, Idaho. While this pattern originated in the west, it can generate excellent results here in Michigan or anywhere Hendrickson hatches occur.
The Recipe:
HOOK: Standard dry fly size 14
THREAD: Brown 6/0 ? 8/0
WEIGHT: Wire (optional)
TAIL: Wood duck flank or mallard
ABDOMEN: Emerger brown
WING: (Dun) CDC feather
THORAX: Rust (dry fly)
LEGS: Wood duck
*Other popular emergers: floating nymphs, red quill
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. At the end of this one year stage the nymph swims to the surface and sheds its exoskeleton. This transition is known as emerging. This emergence can happen quickly or in some cases the nymph may struggle for quite sometime or never complete this phase resulting in some stillborn or crippled. In any event, if you don?t see many flies ?hatching? but trout are feeding, there?s a good chance it?s this transitional ?emerger? that?s the main course - Bruce Derington
Fishing Instructions
Emerger patterns should be fished just below or floating in the surface film. The CDC will hold the pattern in the surface film. Do not add dry fly floatants as it is not neccessary and will hinder the floating quality of CDC which has natural preen oil and small tiny fibers that trap air. A quick tug on the line will force this fly under the surface film when desired.
Emergence Schedule
Peak is usually the first two weeks of April depending on the weather with
50 - 55 degree water temp optimal. Time is in the afternoons.
Related Flies:
Hendrickson Dun - Reverse Hackle Burnt Wing - by Chauncy Lively
Hendrickson Nymph
Related Stories:
Michigan Trout - Opening Day and the Mayfly by Bruce Derington
Au Sable River South Branch - The Mason Tract - by Jeff Selser
Fishing Reports - Check out the current list of reports here at FMO
