PMD's, Guru Reels, Top 5-weight Rods

Pale Morning Duns: Color Me Yellow, or What?
By: Rick Hafele

PMD Mayfly hatches produce great dry fly fishing !!!

Okay, so the salmonflies and golden stones are almost done for the year. Don’t despair and think good dry fly fishing is over. In fact over the next month and a half some great hatches will be happening, hatches that produce as good or better surface activity as the big stoneflies. One of these hatches is the mayfly somewhat misleading called the pale morning duns or PMDs. I say misleading because they aren’t always pale and they don’t always show up in the morning. I guess that just proves you can never trust a common name.

After the big stoneflies disappear, you can still get big trout on the surface. PMDs will help!

Pale morning duns rank right up their with blue-winged olives in terms of characteristics that produce great fishing. They are abundant, widespread in all types of rivers from small spring creeks to big tailwater rivers, emerge slowly enticing trout to feed on them (more on that in a bit), and their hatches are fairly consistent for three to six weeks, which means if you miss them one day you should find them still hatching the next.

The three PMD nymphs pictured on this page were all collected off the same rock the same day. Which color should you match? The one above is olive-brown.

PMD nymphs are known as crawlers, and belong to the important family Ephemerellidae and genus Ephemerella. There’s been a bit of debate about just what species lives in western streams and taxonomists recently changed the species name from Ephemerella inermis to Ephemerella excrucians. This means nothing to the trout, or the flies you use to match them, so you can now forget it ever happened!

Many PMD nymphs are redish-brown or nearly orange in color. Pheasant Tail Nymphs in sizes #16 - #18 are popular PMD nymph patterns. Kyle's Super Flash Pheasant Tail is a great pick.

Though known as crawlers PMD nymphs swim surprisingly well, almost as well as the speedy little blue-winged olive nymphs. Thus, while they may crawl along the bottom, they also move around and regularly get into stream drift where they are seen by trout. Nymphs prefer moderate to slow currents and find a wide range of substrate to their liking, with small to moderate gravel/cobble mix, to small gravel and sand, to beds of

Just like dogs, cats 7 people PMD nymphs come in a variety of colors. Some PMD nymphs are chocolate brown. Don't despair. Pheasant Tail Nymphs work to mimic them too.

aquatic plants and moss all acceptable. This is one reason why PMDs are found in so many different types and sizes of streams. Because of PMD nymph abundance, widespread presence, and frequency in stream drift, I have found fishing nymph patterns that match them one of my most consistently successful patterns for nymph fishing. Ever wonder why a size 16 or 14 hare’s ear nymph works so well?

PMD's are important trout food any time they are on the water, and can produce some outstanding dry fly fishing.

PMD hatches start right now, i.e. early June, and last well into the middle of July. That’s a long time, and it should give you plenty of opportunity to get on a stream while their hatches are coming off. The time of day you’ll find them emerging can be a bit unpredictable, however. If they hatch in the morning it will usually be late morning, say around 11 o’clock. But it is just as likely that their hatches won’t start until one in the afternoon or even later. Weather is the big driver of daily hatch timing. Hot weather will drive the hatches to late morning, while cooler weather will push it into the afternoon. Also cloudy overcast conditions generally create a daily hatch that lasts much longer - say two or three hours long - than you’ll find on a bright sunny day when the hatch will last just an hour or two at most. As a result it’s much easier to miss the hatch on a bright day, by not being in the right place at the right time. As they say, “timing is everything!”

Many PMD duns emerge from the nymphal shuck while submerged.

One of the confusing yet most important aspects of success during a PMD hatch is understanding how they emerge. Most mayflies emerge from nymph to dun in the surface film. The nymph swims to the surface, its shuck splits open, and the dun wiggles free and pops up on top of the water. Some PMD nymphs do the same thing, but many don’t. Instead the dun actually escapes from the nymphal shuck underwater, often while the nymph is still clinging to the bottom. Therefore, the dun must rise up through the water column and break through the surface film, then dry its wings before flying away. Such behavior makes the duns sitting ducks to feeding trout, both underwater and on the surface. For the angler this means that when your dry flies fail, instead of cursing the trout God’s, put on a small subsurface pattern like a soft hackle that will match the dun rising up to the surface. It also means that cripples - duns that struggle and die in the surface - are quite common during PMD hatches.

Many PMDs end up as cripples on the surface during a good hatch. Sometimes these will be what the trout focus on, and to be successful so will you.

Sometimes it is much more effective to fish imitations of these crippled duns than that of a nice looking healthy dun with its wings held upright. Fish both emerger and cripple patterns dead drift just like a dry fly, but fish them just below the surface to as deep as a foot or two depending on how the fish are feeding. Understanding this aspect of PMD behavior can save you many hours of frustration during their hatches.

Also, don’t forget about PMD spinners. Those duns that make it off the water, fly to shoreline vegetation where they molt into spinners within about 12 hours. The spinners then form mating swarms over the water and the females lay their eggs by falling on to the stream’s surface. Once their eggs are laid they die on the surface with their wings flat out on the water making them very had to see. Always look for the easier to see mating swarms above the water. Then if you see little subtle rises fifteen or twenty minutes later, you will usually be dealing with trout taking spinners. PMD spinner falls can be in the morning, as early as 8 or 9 AM, or in the late afternoon/evening. This is again driven mostly by weather conditions, and can change day to day. Observation is the key.

PMDs will be abundant and important trout foods in most slow-water spring creeks.

One of the characteristics of PMDs that can be particularly maddening and confusing to fly fishers is color. That is what color best matches the nymphs, duns, and spinners? Fly fishers, and especially fly tiers, spend a lot of time trying to match just the right color of the natural.

Moderate currents with a small gravel/cobble bottom is just one habitat type PMDs find to their liking. Rivers such as the Deschutes are famous for PMD hatches. Lesser known is that some mountain streams, such as Salmon River next to our store can also produce blizzard PMD hatches and spinner falls.

But when you go into a fly shop there will be bins of PMD or other fly patterns of different colors. What gives? Well, if there’s one thing I’ve found from collecting aquatic insects for over forty years is that color is not a definite thing, even between individuals of the same species from the same stream, and PMDs seem to exhibit this color variability more than most.

Many PMD duns are pinkish-orange on the back. Some may be pink on the belly as well, or mabe not. I pays to catch and examine the hatching flies in detail.

The photos of nymphs and duns shown here, where collected from the same stream, and even the same rock, yet you can see significant color differences. I have seen similar color differences for many other species. This shouldn’t be that surprising, since what other animals of the same species all come in the same color? Color variation between individuals is the norm not the exception, and that is true for insects as well.

This PMD dun is creamy yellow. Sometimes trout can be very selective to both size and color. It pays to have a selection of colors and sizes of flies in your box.

So, what does this mean? To me it means that I don’t have to be so worried about color when selecting my fly pattern. I pay attention to color, but if my fly doesn’t seem just right, no big deal. I believe matching the size correctly is much more critical than matching color correctly, yet most angler’s pay way more attention to color than size. The bottom line is that over the next month or more you will want some nymph, emerger, dun, and spinner patterns for PMDs in your fly box ready to go.

This PMD Dun is light olive in color. Many others may be light creamy olive.

Sizes generally range from 18’s to 16’s, but check the local hatch carefully to get it right. Also look at the color of a half dozen or more naturals side by side and get a feel for just how variable it might be. Then make sure you to get a good presentation of you fly over the fish. When everything is right you’ll know it - the trout never lie!

Don’t forget PMD spinners. They can produce some great dry fly fishing when they drop to the water, but can be hard to spot, especially when they occur at twilight.

The secret to catching trout is to understand how they feed. Want to be a better trout fisher? Sign up for this school! (Don't delay. There are only two spots open):
Deschutes River Trout School Featuring Mark Bachmann & Rick Hafele
For a look at Rick’s new online magazine (with Dave Hughes & Skip Morris) called HookedNow !!! Their June/July issue on “Fishing the Evening Rise” is now available!

These small light colored may flies were designed for the angler who would rather sleep late. Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) usually hatch mid to late morning. But, during some magic days, hatches can continue into the late afternoon. In our local rivers these hatches start in June and run into August. From our observation, this seems to be a fairly diverse group. Top of body coloration can range from light

olive, to yellowish olive, to pale orange, to pink. Most typical top side coloration is usually pastel creamy yellow-olive with very light dun wings. Underside coloration can vary as much as the top side coloration. Belly colors range from light yellowish-olive to light olive or green and can even be pastel orange or pink. These flies can have olive backs and pink bellies. There can be many subtle color variations. Don't be afraid to catch and examine individual flies. Hatches can incorporate two or more sub-species coming off at the same time, or one hatch can quickly follow another. One kind can be slightly larger. The fish can be very, very picky; keying on the minutest detail. The selection of flies listed below will cover all of the sizes and colors that we've encountered.

Evidently changing from nymph to dun is an arduous task for PMDs. Many get hung-up in the nymphal shuck and are crippled or still-born. Healthy insects are most vulnerable when sliding from their nymphal skin. At this stage they can neither swim, nor fly. Some trout will completely ignore healthy duns and key only on deformed insects, or target insects that are "hung in the shuck". Be patient and observe closely. Paranymphs, Emergers, Sparkle Duns and Cripples can match hatching PMDs. Try fishing a sparkle Dun on a dropper and a Cripple on the point.

Trout can feed ravenously on duns during peak hatches. If this happens in soft riffle water, you can experience some of the worlds best small dry fly fishing. The patterns listed below span a number of colors and silhouettes. All are appropriate at times. PMD behavior can vary between species and different stages of the hatch.

PMD spinner falls can create great fishing in slow water or back eddies.

Pheasant Tail Nymph This is the most popular pattern for simulating both Callibaetis and PMD Mayfly Nymphs. This unweighted fly can be fished just below the surface.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
12260-12	Pheasant Tail Nymph	12	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12260-14	Pheasant Tail Nymph	14	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12260-16	Pheasant Tail Nymph	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12260-18	Pheasant Tail Nymph	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

Pheasant Tail Nymph, Flashback This is a very popular pattern that looks like a Mayfly Nymph that is about ready to hatch. This fly pattern is very effective during Baetis, Callibaetis and Pale Morning Dun hatches.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
12262-12	Pheasant Tail Nymph, Flashback	12	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12262-14	Pheasant Tail Nymph, Flashback	14	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12262-16	Pheasant Tail Nymph, Flashback	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
12262-18	Pheasant Tail Nymph, Flashback	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Emerger A floating nymph pattern. Apply fly floatant to the tuft of Antron that forms the stubby white wing. Saturate the rest of the fly with saliva. That will allow the fly to ride against the underside of the surface film, often at a head-up angle, mimicking the real nymphs. This can be a deadly fly, especially in the first stages of a hatch. This fly works best in smoother water.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4005-18	PMD Emerger	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

Quigley's Film Critic, PMD This pattern is deadly on the most selective of situations on spring creeks, tail waters, lakes and placid pools. I use this pattern as a better replacement for my original Quigley Cripple and fish it in the same situations which is when the hatch is on. It’s no secret among long time hatch fisherman that we have developed a more educated trout in water that is receiving ever more angling pressure. The film critic certainly fills the bill
as a new film pattern, for me and all who have tested it.The pattern is essentially a floating half submerger, 1/2 nymph, with a true to the natural thin and segmented body. The pattern has an emerging shedding shuck look to the tail that adds even more realism for selective trout. Aside from greater visibility and floatation the stacked hackle and forward wing suggests a mayfly escapement ready for flight but is hung in the film hence the name. The flies in this series land delicately on the stacked hackle, tilting the wing up and forward providing great visibility for the angler of all levels of experience and capability. -Bob Quigley
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
SIG1640	Quigley's Film Critic, PMD	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

Quigley's Sparkle Flag, PMD Born out of the Hackle Stacker and Sparkle Stacker, Bob Quigley’s Flag Duns are the next best thing to hit spring creek fishing since polarized sunglasses. The Flag Duns use the “stacker” style wing to float the bugs and insure light delicate presentations without spooking wary fish. The Flag Dun series is constructed with a thread body to create an even slimmer profile than the Hackle Stacker
series and better mimic the natural mayfly. The addition of the flag on the front of the fly gives a wing like silhouette to the fish while providing extra visibility to the angler. Advantages of Design 1. The Flag gives the angler added visibility while fishing size 18, 20 and 22 flies. The hackle fibers spread over the top catch and reflect light already making the fly easy to see. 2. A very slim body mimics the natural mayfly allowing the fly to fool extremely picky fish 3. The Flag gives the fly a mayfly wing silhouette 4. The Hackle is on top of the fly letting the body sits in the film closely mimicking the natural mayfly. 5. Using a minimal amount of material in the fly and the spread out “stacked” hackle allows the fly to be land lightly which in turn lets anglers effectively fish this family of flies to pickiest trout without spooking them when the fly lands. 6.The Hackle Stacker design is a very durable fly in a category where many of the flies are quite delicate in construction. This is important during short hatch periods or fading light, when fly changes cost you lost opportunities. 7.The stiff dry fly hackles are easy to dry out with a couple of false casts to keep you fishing rather than changing flies or using desiccants to dry out your fly. When & Where The Flag Duns were originally designed to catch picky fish in spring creek conditions. The beauty of the Flag Duns is its versatility. This series of flies will fish just as well in free-stone rivers, tail waters and lakes. The angler needs every advantage he/she can get. Stocking your box or bins with this fly will give any angler an edge.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
SIG0921	Quigley's Sparkle Flag, PMD	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
SIG0922	Quigley's Sparkle Flag, PMD	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Loop Wing Emerger This is more of a struggling emerger pattern or still born type of pattern, which mimics a fly that is hung up in the shuck. This pattern can be very effective on hatches of olive toned flies.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
1075-18	PMD Loop Wing Emerger	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Green This trailing-shuck dun rides with its belly flat on the water or the body slightly submerged. Hackle Stackers land very lightly and ride equally well on rough or slick water surfaces.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q1028-16	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Green	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
Q1028-18	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Green	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange This is an extremely effective fly for PMD hatches that are pink-bellied and emerge from rust colored nymphs.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q1027-16	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
Q1027-18	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive We first read about Sparkle Duns in an article by Craig Mathews in Fly Fisherman Magazine. Prior to that PMD hatches were often frustrating for us. After we started using these trailing-shuck flies, PMD hatches got easier. On our rivers, several subspecies of PMD type mayflies are pale olive on the back.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
1072-16	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
1072-18	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange Often when you examine a PMD that appears to be pale olive on the back, when you turn it up side down, you will find that the belly is pale orange. The problem is that the trout can tell the difference and you better have both colors of flies with you.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
1070-16	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
1070-18	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Cripple This cripple is tied to show mor of the nymph than the dun and is often the most effective pattern to use during the early stages of a PMD hatch. Apply floatant to the wings and hackle and saturate the rear of the fly with saliva.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4102-18	PMD Cripple	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Loop Wing Paradun This is a very effective pattern to use when visibility is poor. The white wing post is often easier to see than more realistic colored flies. It can be used to simulate duns or in some cases as a spinner pattern. This is one of the more popular flies during PMD hatches on Willamette Valley streams.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q228-18	PMD Loop Wing Paradun	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Olive Mark Bachmann developed this fly pattern for the lower Deschutes River where PMD hatches emerge from rough textured water early in the season. This fly is a good floater and has accounted for many large Redsides.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4011-18	PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Olive	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink Mark Bachmann developed this fly pattern for the lower Deschutes River where PMD hatches emerge from rough textured water early in the season. The quill body produces a slim profile matching the real duns. The #16 size matches the earliest hatches of "Pink Alberts".
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4012-16	PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
4012-18	PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Thorax, Pale Olive The Thorax Dun comes from the fertile mind and ample fly tying skills of Mike Lawson. This yellowish olive body fly more closely matches PMDs that hatch from streams in the Rocky Mountain States.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
15961	PMD Thorax, Pale Olive	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
15962	PMD Thorax, Pale Olive	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

Parachute Cream Puff This fly is very popular for imitating Pale Morning Dun Mayflies on our local rivers on both sides of the Cascades. Hatches can start in early May and continue through August. This easy to see parachute fly was first ordered as a custom tie by Dick Crossley and was known as the Crossley Cream Puff.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4100-16	Parachute Cream Puff	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
4100-18	Parachute Cream Puff	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD CDC Biot Spinner Of course this fly is deadly during PMD spinner falls. Treat the wings with dry-shake. This pattern is often even more productive when fished wet during a hatch as a submerger. Saturate the wings with saliva and let it sink.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
16003	PMD CDC Biot Spinner	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Poly Spinner, Pinkish Orange Most pale orange or pink PMD spinners have transparent wings and this fly is a good match. When these light colored spinners are on the water trout will often target them. The real spinners are often very difficult for anglers to see on the water, even when the surface is smooth. Carrying a pair of binoculars to study the hatches can be a big help.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
3160-18	PMD Poly Spinner, Pinkish Orange	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

Please specify which hand you prefer to wind your reel with, so we may set the retrieve direction for you.	SALE ENDED
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Please specify if you wish us to install a fly line on your new reel or extra spool. Then make your selection from the Fly Line Section. We will install the proper size and amount of Micron Backing at no extra charge.	SALE ENDED
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590-4 BIIIX			Length: 9' Line: #5 Pieces: 4

This is the all around trout rod. Light, powerful, smooth, fun to cast. Able to cast in close with small flies, and yet capable of generating significant line speeds to punch into strong winds or cover longer distances with larger flies without feeling stiff. This is what fishing can be like on larger rivers - sometimes you need a rod that can do everything. Like a top-of-the-line sports car: you can "feel" that the power is in your hands, in your control. A great rod for most western lakes as well. Top grade cork handle. Impeccable high gloss finish and fittings. comes with screw top aluminum case and cotton rod sock. FREE RIO GOLD FLY LINE INCLUDED Rod weight: 3 1/4 ounces.
Item	Series	Line Wt.	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
590-4	BIIIX	5	Fast	Cigar	$755	SALE ENDED

FR1085-4 StreamDance GLX				Length: 9' Line: #5 Pieces: 4

Big dries, weighted flies, streamers, multi flies, long leaders, strike indicators, sink tips, split shot, are all buggers to cast, even without much wind. Add long casts from float tubes and that's why you need some extra horsepower. And should all the stars and mayflies align, and the conditions get calm, you'll want a fine diameter rod tip that can still protect light tippets and offer trout fishing versatility. This rod delivers great casting accuracy, and has a very crisp feel. the finish is non-reflective for a stealthy approach on the water. Each rod comes with a cloth sock and screw top Cordura covered hard-case.
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11392-01	GLX High Line Speed	5	Med-Stiff	Fast	144	$660.00	SALE ENDED

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The Flies You Need For Fishing PMD Hatches !!!
Pheasant Tail Nymph	Loop Wing Emerger	Hairwing Dun, Pale Olive
Flash-back Pheasant Tail	Hackle Stacker, Pale Green	Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink
Spring Creek Super Flash Nymph	Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange	PMD Thorax, Pale Olive
PMD Paranymph	Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive	Parachute Cream Puff
PMD Emerger	Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange	CDC Spinner, Pale Orange
Quigley's Film Critic	PMD Cripple	CDC Biot Spinner
Quigley's Sparkle Flag	Loop Wing Paradun	PMD Nymphs

Model	Line	Backing	Weight	Price	To Top
G1.5 REEL	WF4	100 yd. *	4.70 oz.	$179	SALE ENDED
G1.5 SPOOL				$75	SALE ENDED
G2 REEL	WF6	100 yd.*	4.90 oz.	$189	SALE ENDED
G2 SPOOL				$80	SALE ENDED
G3 REEL	WF7	150 yd. *	5.50 oz.	$199	SALE ENDED
G3 SPOOL				$90	SALE ENDED
G3.5 REEL	WF9	200 yd. *	6.20 oz.	$229	SALE ENDED
G3.5 SPOOL				$110	SALE ENDED
G4 REEL	WF10	250 yd. **	7.30 oz.	$249	SALE ENDED
G4 SPOOL				$115	SALE ENDED

Kyle's Spring Creek Super Flash Pheasant Tail Fish this fly pre and post PMD mayfly hatches. This PMD nymph pattern is a very versatile PMD that can be fished deep, as an emerger, or on a dry-dropper system for trout selectively feeding in the film. Kyle’ S.P.P.T.PMD is a combination of natural Pheasant and Ice dubbing creating an effect that fish will eat confidently in a variety of different situations.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
11004016	Kyle's Spring Creek Super Flash Pheasant Tail	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

PMD Paranymph This is a PMD nymph hanging with its body below the surface of the water. the light colored thorax gives the impression that a dun is emerging from the front of the fly. The wing post and light colored hackle virtually disappears from the fish in the mid-day glare. However the poly wing post floats high, even in the roughest water and is easy to see for fishermen.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q305-16	PMD Paranymph	16	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED
Q305-18	PMD Paranymph	18	3 for $5.85	SALE ENDED

590-4 Z-AXIS			Length: 9' Line: 5 Pieces: 4

Sage went back to the drawing board to create the incredible Z-Axis Series Fast Action Rods. By improving the entire rod-building process with Generation-5 technology, they created a rod that's significantly lighter, stronger and easier to cast for anglers of all skill levels. The Z-Axis offers an entirely new level of fishability with unprecedented line feel, response and performance. Z-AXIS rods feature flor cork handles lathe-turned right on the rod blank for superior feel and durability. Fittings and finish are second to none. Each rod comes with an aluminum screw-top case, rod sock and Sage's Lifetime Warrantee. Rod weight: 3 3/8 Ounces
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
590-4	Z-AXIS	5	Fast	C	$695	SALE ENDED