Ephemeroptera · Ephemerellidae

Hendrickson

The April mayfly that makes freestone anglers cancel meetings. Reddish/brown duns and a strong nymph drift beforehand.

Taxa: Ephemerella subvaria (classic Hendrickson)

Bait lens

Hendricksons on and trout rising = go. Size and color beat brand names.

Life stages

Mayfly path: egg → nymph → dun → spinner. Classic eastern Ephemerella hatch.

Coming soon Photo pending confirmed nymph ID

Nymph — Pre-hatch nymphs before the April rise.

Coming soon Photo pending confirmed dun ID

Dun — Reddish-brown body — classic Hendrickson look.

Coming soon Photo pending confirmed spinner (red quill) ID

Spinner (Red Quill) — Red Quill spinner talk after the dun.

When it matters in the Southern Apps (NC–VA)

April prior on SE freestones; can shift with elevation and spring warmth.

Matching artificials & techniques

Mimic the stage the fish are eating — size and silhouette first. Patterns are common SE shop language, not a brand list.

Nymph

Hendrickson nymph, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear (#12–16)

Dead-drift before and during the hatch build.

Dun

Hendrickson dry, Red Quill, Comparadun

Match the reddish body; present to risers.

Spinner

Red Quill Spinner

Spent patterns in soft water after the main hatch.

Sources: Ephemerella subvaria standard fly-fishing entomology; SE April calendar. Stage photos: Coming soon until taxon-confirmed imagery. Regional note: Taxonomy and stage language follow standard aquatic entomology (Ephemeroptera / Trichoptera / Plecoptera / Chironomidae). SE timing is a regional prior from the hatch calendar — confirm with thermometer, seine, and local shop/agency charts.

SE hatch calendar All bugs Life-cycle basics

More in the guide: BWO · Midges · Caddis · October Caddis · Sulphurs · Tricos