Pennsylvania Fly Hatches:

Pennsylvania streams and rivers are diverse so they have a variety of fly hatches for the fly angler. However, there are certain hatches which are important everywhere and you should never be without the proper imitations for fishing. What most fly anglers fail to realize is that of the many fly hatches on rivers and streams only a handful are really that important most of the time.

Top Fly Hatches for Streams and Rivers in Pennsylvania

• The Sulfurs: Ephemerella invaria (formerly called Ephemerella rotunda) This mayfly is prolific from freestone streams to spring creeks. On spring creeks it builds up massive populations and has long emergence patterns where the size diminishes as the season progresses. It is by far the mos important mayfly for trout fly fishing in the state!

Sulfur Mayfly: Ephemerella invaria

• The Salt and Pepper Caddis: Hydropsyche spp. This caddis inhabits many streams and rivers of varying temperatures through out the state. It's important in all three stages larva, pupa and adult.

Green Caddis Larva: Hydropsyche spp.

•  Green Drake: Ephemera guttulata. This large mayfly has great populations on streams like Penns Creek, Little Juniata, Yellow Creek, Spruce Creek and other streams throughout the state. The nymph stage is often the most important because on many streams the adults will emerge often late into the night.

The Green Drake Mayfly: Ephemera guttulata

• The Leadwinged Coachman or White Gloved Howdy and many other names: Isonychia spp. There are a number of versions of this mayfly some emerge in May to June while on other streams there is a later species that emerges in August through September. Trout hit the nymphs which move around a lot and crawl on to the rocks. A really good hatch on many streams and rivers throughout the state.

Leadwinged Coachman: Isonychia spp.