Of the 27 species, only the above three are important to the northeast angler. These mayflies can exist in a variety of habitats. The subvaria species is the first to emerge, followed by the invaria and rotunda hatches about a month later. You should be aware that the subvaria species prefers slower currents, whereas the invaria and rotunda species will be found in the faster currents. Look for the subvaria in the gravel and aquatic vegetation of the slower waters. On the faster waters, the invaria and rotunda species can be found in the graveled riffles, slick runs and of course the eddies and side-currents of pocket water. As far as size is concerned the largest species is the subvaria (Hendrickson & Red Quill), followed by the rotunda species (Hendrickson & Red Quill) and last but not least the invaria species (Sulphur & Pale Evening Dun). These 3-tailed nymphs have a migrating instinct, which causes them to seek out convenient emergence sites adjacent to or within the fast-water currents. This mayfly hatch is one of the most exciting of the early season. This emergence is the most prolific and reliable hatch of the season. They wiggle enticingly during their ascent and like others of this genus; usually take several attempts to break through the surface tension. These nymphs are dark brown (almost black) in color, with some highlights of dark amber or dark olive. The dun will return to the riffled areas within a 24-hour period and the pre-nuptial mating swarm will develop high above the rough water. After the in-flight mating, the female will drop her egg sacs on to the fast water then both the male and female will fall to the water as spent spinners.

Tactics

In order to simulate the erratic swimming actions of this nymph, in the slower water, you should twitch the imitation with very short and rapid motion. In the faster waters, a drag-free drift is required with no nymphal movement.

Even though the Hatch Schedule indicates an emergence of late May to late June and the basic time frame should be from midday until 6 P.M. with a peak between 2 and 4 P.M., you need to consider the following conditions that will affect this schedule. The exceptions are during the unusual cold, rain or heat waves that frequent our northern New England weather. Hot weather will delay a hatch until later in the day or in some cases, early evening. During any unusually cooler weather, the emerging activity will be sometime during the warmest part of the day. Also during these cooler hatches, the duns will float along with the currents for extended periods of time, thus making themselves more available to feeding fish. Remember that inclement weather often provides the best fishing of the season. Accurate, drag free drifts are critical to success.

Tactics

If you see a fish rising to take offerings in the same area time after time, you can assume that the fish is holding in a lie and will continue to stay there until driven out by a larger fish or spooked by an impatient angler. You can now determine your choice casting position and the proper imitation to lure the fish to your leader.

Now, what happens when the fish seems to be rising in different locations? The problem is that by the time your ready to cast, this same fish may be out of range or your casting position is all wrong for the situation facing you. Fear not, there are things that you can do to counteract this situation. For one thing, stay clear of the wide, flat areas of the slower water. Instead, pay particular attention to the heads of these same areas or locate yourself in the tail of a pool where these duns and emerging insects are naturally funneled into a more concentrated mass. The big fish will almost always protect these optimum feeding lies and force out the smaller or weaker fish.

Another tactic is to fish the faster pocket water where fish will hold behind rocks, boulders and deadfalls within the white, rough faster waters. For surface feeding fish, use a dun pattern such as a subvaria Compara-dun drag free to the feeding lies or through the feeding lanes of opposing currents.

If you get repeated refusals, switch to a Hackled pattern that will imitate an emerging insect. Also, remember to through in the intermittent twitching and skittering motions of the dun trying to break through the surface film. These above tactics are also very true of the Hendrickson and Red Quill imitations.

This is the second major Stenonema hatch to emerge and usually follows the S. vicarium by a week or so. The name Grey Fox is usually associated with this species. While the name, Ginger Quill, is associated with the spinner of this same species. Although these hatches tend to be early evening activities, remember that in cooler overcast or rainy days, these hatches will be in the afternoon or in the rain.

These are fast water clingers, so you know that they will be found in riffles and runs. The Grey Fox is a little smaller then the S. vicarium. Both species have the same migratory and emergent habits. During this emergence, the nymphs will abandon their bottom hiding places between the heavy gravel, rock and deadfall areas and crawl or clumsily in a swimming attempt, struggle towards the surface. Once on the underside of the surface film, the newly hatched dun will make several vain attempts to break through the surface tension. Trout will feed eagerly on these drifting duns and a properly presented imitation is deadly.

Tactics

When you locate a feeding fish, cast upstream and allow a drag free drift to the fish's location. If the fish ignores your offering but takes another insect instead, change your presentation. Try the same cast but add a little motion to you imitation by twitching and skittering the fly. Chances are that the fish will now want your offering rather than taking a motionless natural. Keep in mind that the shallow, quiet waters below you can also provide excellent fishing.

Just like the S. vicarium, most of your beginning hatches will be in the shallows of both eddies and pools. Remember that the weak, dead and crippled naturals will drift downstream to funnel towards waiting fish. The fuscum spinner activities and falls will occur over the rough waters of riffles and white pocket-water.

Before the females arrive, the males will congregate high above the stream in mating swarms. Once this activity is sighted, you should take the time to tie on the appropriate spinner pattern and wade into the stream for a proper casting position. The casting position should give the casting angler the ability to cast from the rough, white water into the calmer pockets and side eddies on the streams edge.

This very impressive sight is your signal to prepare yourself for the soon to come, spinner falls. Usually within 30 minutes or so, the females will arrive; the mating rituals take place above the rough waters. Now, the fun begins because the female will fly to the waters surface and repeatedly dips her posterior into the waters surface to release the newly fertilized eggs. Their instinctive responsibilities complete, both the male and female mayflies will fall to the waters surface and waiting fish.

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