Ephemerella Subvaria (Hendrickson)
Ephemerella Subvaria, Also known as the Hendrickson. One of the more prolific and reliable hatches of the spring months.
Locations:
–Southern Pennsylvania and Maryland occurs as early as April 7th but normally
toward middle of the month.
-Southern Appalachia beginning of the month of April to the end of the month.
-Poconos and North Pennsylvania April 28-May 8.
–Catskills May 10-20 is the peak
-Adirondacks and North New England May 20-30 is the peak
-Midwestern waters late April-may
-AuSable and P.M. Areas. 1st. week may.
Ephemerella Characteristics:
-Feeble Legs as a nymph
-Dark brown almost black.
-Influences amber and/or olive
-6th, 7th abdominal tergites wholly pale (5th partially)
Habitat:
Ephemerella species enjoy gravel bottoms in slow meandering streams. They
also live in gravelly riffles, slick runs, and eddies of pocket water in faster water
such as Freestone Mountain streams!
Emergence:
Ephemerella Subvaria nymphs start their rituals of emergence in the afternoon.
the nymphs swim up with a peculiar wiggle. Once they are up in the water column
they drift in the current for a time (vulnerable for trout) and escape their shucks
under surface film. They often swim back to the bottom and repeat ascent several
times before they are able to escape their shuck.
Hatch Info:
Subvaira Nymphs hatch when the water temps. Is around 50-55 degrees F.
Daily hatches are often very reliable weather permitting. The hatch can start any
time between noon and 6pm in the afternoon but the prime time is 2-4 in the afternoon. Around 4-5pm the spinner fall starts. Subvaria nymphs enjoy normal spring weather. If the weather is to hot the hatches can be delayed until the evening for the water to cool. In cold weather the subarea will hatch during the warmest part of the afternoon.
Flies to use:
Comparadun- Dun Stage (#10-#14)
Red Quill- Male (#10-#14)
Hendrickson: Female (#10-#14)
The Barbless Hook 