Mayfly Nymphs.

The mayfly scene will be upon us relatively soon and with it this fact: Maine has more mayfly species than any other state! That can be a daunting task to fill a box with every, species, size, shape and color. Keeping it simple can make the match the hatch game much easier. The photo above (click for a larger view) is an example of suggestive and imitative core patterns.

Top row, left to right: Muskrat Nymph, 12-16, bead optional. Hares Ear Nymph, 12-18. Olsen's Guide's Choice Hare's Ear, 12-16. Olive Hares Ear Flashback Nymph, 14-16. Beadhead Bird's Nest, 12-16. Bird's Nest 12-16, Chocolate.

Bottom row, left to right: Zug Bug, 12-16, Mercer's Poxyback Mayfly, 12-14, Jacklin's March Brown,12-16, Whitlock's Squirrel Nymph, 12-16, Pheasant Tail Nymph, 12-18, A.P. Nymph, 12-16.

The Muskrat Nymph is a Fran Betters tie, it's also known as the Picked Out Nymph. Hares Ear nymphs are standard. Have a selection in under looked black. The Bird's Nest is another ignored simple pattern. Try it in gray, dun and olive.

Pheasant Tails with flashback and without. Tungsten, brass and glass beads all produce. Dyed olive and black pheasant can be powerful juju. A.P Nymphs in black, muskrat grey and olive represent the full spectrum of mayfly species.

You have probably noticed the lack of Copper Johns. We do carry a full selection of those in sizes 14-18 and a variety of colors. We really dig the Copper John series for nymphing/searching. One weakness of it is it's weight. We carry most of the above nymphs in unweighted versions as well as weighted (bead or wrapped body). Simply fishing the unweighted pattern as an emerging mayfly. In the film. The meniscus. The sweet spot.

You can soak that Copper John in a whole bottle of Flyagra and it still won't be where you need it. Weighted nymphs can be the last thing you need at times. Old school technique that still crushes it today.