PMD Hatches

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PMD Hatches
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Fishing Report
Czech Nymph Book
Hoh Bo Spey
All pictures are Mouse-over.

PMD Hatches "Mayflies" are probably the family of insects that spawned the sport of dry-fly fishing . In the Pacific Northwest, they could also be called June and July-flies. Many of the densest mayfly hatches of the year occur during late spring and early summer. This is the period when the majority of mayfly species find conditions perfect for emergence and procreation to perpetuate their species. Water temperatures are rising, but still cool with lots of dissolved oxygen. Some species of mayflies trickle-off in steady, but sparse daily hatches that last several days. Mayfly hatches of other species will be blizzards on some days and then can be relatively sparse on other days. Large fluctuations in emergence can occur even during the peak of a hatch that might last a couple of months. Climatic conditions can dictate denser hatches. Mayflies usually emerge in greater numbers on calm, cloud-cover days, than on bright or stormy days. Pale Morning Dun Mayflies can produce some of the steadiest, most predictable hatches of any insect, and thus command a lot of attention from feeding trout. Evidently trout think PMD's taste good. Even though PMD's average about size-18, trout often forsake larger insects to feed on them. And of course the cool water with lots of dissolved oxygen that PMD's find so attractive, is perfect to bring trout metabolism to a peak. This all adds up to produce some of the best "light-rod" dry fly fishing of the year.
PMD Paranymph	Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange	Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink
PMD Emerger	Fluttering Cripple, Pale Green	PMD Thorax, Pale Olive
Loop Wing Emerger	Fluttering Cripple, Pale Orange	Parachute Cream Puff
Hackle Stacker, Pale Green	PMD Cripple	CDC Spinner, Pale Orange
Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange	Loop Wing Paradun	Poly Spinner, Pinkish Orange
Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive	Hairwing Dun, Pale Olive	Pearl Wing Rusty Spinner

These small light colored mayflies 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.

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 $5.25	Sale Over
Q305-18	PMD Paranymph	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
Q1028-18	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Green	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
Q1027-18	PMD Hackle Stacker, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
1072-18	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Olive	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
1070-18	PMD Sparkle Dun, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

PMD Fluttering Cripple, Pale Green This unusual looking Bob Quigley pattern is meant to dangle through the surface film and mimic a PMD that has been able to emerge most of the way from the nymphal shuck, but is trapped and crippled. Apply floatant to the wings and hackle and saturate the rear of the fly with saliva.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q1004-18	PMD Fluttering Cripple, Pale Green	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

PMD Fluttering Cripple, Pale Orange This is an orange tone PMD that is trapped and unable to eject the shuck. It lies helpless, half in and half out of the surface film. Apply floatant to the wings and hackle and saturate the rear of the fly with saliva.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
Q1005-18	PMD Fluttering Cripple, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
4012-18	PMD Hairwing Dun, Pale Pink	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
15962	PMD Thorax, Pale Olive	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over
4100-18	Parachute Cream Puff	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

PMD CDC Spinner, Pale Orange This fly pattern came from the work of Mark Bachmann & Brian Silvey who were guiding anglers in the Warm Springs to Trout Creek section of the Deschutes in approximately 1990. That season blizzard hatches of pink PMDs created dense spinner falls that created voracious feeding frenzies in the back eddies every afternoon in late July and much of August. These spinners had pale orange bodies and wings that were milky orangish/pink in color. CDC wings proved to
be the answer. If you had this fly, you were into the fish. If your fly was tied different, it was usually less productive. During the winter after this hatch, Mark and Brian tied feverishly to have enough spinners for the following season. That season very few of these spinners were seen, and they created very little interest from the trout. It was four seasons before this hatch reached enough density to create good fishing again, and has never again reached mega-hatch importance of 1990. Obviously this hatch is very cyclic, but when it is happening trout tend to refuse or ignore every other fly. You better have a few, just in case it happens this year.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
4018-18	PMD CDC Spinner, Pale Orange	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

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 $5.25	Sale Over

Pearl Wing Rusty Spinner Some PMD spinners are rusty color. This fly also matches spinners of other species of mayflies and is a must-have pattern for every trout fishers fly box. Pearl Wing Spinners are very low floaters and will often sink in rough water. Don't despair, trout often feed on these spinners after they have sunk.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
01101-16	Pearl Wing Rusty Spinner	16	3 for $5.25	Sale Over
01101-18	Pearl Wing Rusty Spinner	18	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

PMD Nymphs

Burk's Hunchback

Pheasant Tail Nymph

Flashback Pheasant Tail

This nice brown trout fell for a Burk's Hunchback...

Burk's Hunchback Infrequens This fly was originated by Andy Burk while he was guiding clients for the ultra sophisticated trout in the Fall River in Northeastern California. These trout had seen enough Pheasant Tail Nymphs during the Fall's famous PMD hatches that the effectiveness of that pattern was becoming marginal. Andy discovered that during the hatch PMD nymphs contort themselves into a hunchback configuration before the dun
bursts through the back of the nymphal shuck. Trout in the Fall River began to key on this feature and were refusing flies the weren't bent. Pheasant Tail Nymphs still work on many rivers, but the Hunchback has become the standard for selective trout in many places, and is a fly you should have for PMD hatches in most rivers in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Most PMD's are size-18. The hunchback is tied on a short shank hook, so that is why it is offered in size 16. It is the right size for most hatches.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
14596	Burk's Hunchback Infrequens	16	3 for $5.25	Sale Over

Pheasant Tail Nymph The original Pheasant Tail Nymph was tied and fished by Frank Sawyer, who was the river keeper on the Wiltshire Avon, a chalkstream in England. The fly at right is an American modification of the original fly and best imitates various species of mayfly nymphs, especially members of PMD and Callibaetis families. This is one of the most popular trout flies in the U.S.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
14544	Pheasant Tail Nymph	12	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
14545	Pheasant Tail Nymph	14	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
14546	Pheasant Tail Nymph	16	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
14547	Pheasant Tail Nymph	18	3 for $5.85	Sale Over

Flashback Pheasant Tail Often mayfly nymphs gather bubbles under the exoskeleton just before the skin opens and the adult insect emerges. These bubbles are highly reflective. Trout often key on this shiny feature. The Flashback Pheasant Tail has been very successful during both PMD and Callibaetis mayfly hatches.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
13685	Flashback Pheasant Tail	12	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
13686	Flashback Pheasant Tail	14	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
13687	Flashback Pheasant Tail	16	3 for $5.85	Sale Over
13688	Flashback Pheasant Tail	18	3 for $5.85	Sale Over

Local Fishing Report
Steelhead are showing up on the Clackamas in good numbers. Steelhead are also in the Sandy and Hood River, but in lesser numbers. Conditions in all three rivers are perfect for fly fishing. Very few Chinooks are available in any of the Columbia River tributaries that flow from the Oregon side. One bright spot for Springers seems to be the Wind River. The local creeks around our shop are in perfect condition for trout fishing and there have been good hatches of both olive and little yellow stoneflies. Green Drake activity has also produced good rises. The Deschutes is pumping out multiple hatches in the lower 100-miles. Trout fishing for skilled anglers armed with the right fly selection has been fantastic. Shad continue to migrate through the ladders at Bonneville and John Day dams on the Columbia River at about 50,000 fish per day.

The Clackamas produced this bright steelhead 06/08/09 for veteran fly fisher, Barney Saunders...

	CZECH NYMPH and Other Related Fly Fishing Methods Karel Krivanec and Friends Third Edition: 2008 Subject Category: Fly Tying Binding Type: Hardcover Format: 7.5" X 10" Retail Price: $39.95 ISBN: 978-80-903882-5-3 A couple of things will dawn on you while you read this book: Eastern Europeans have evolved a unique and extensive fly fishing tradition, and there are a lot of streams you would like to visit there.
The book of 116 pages of format A4, contains 159 colored photographs of nymphs and approximately 45 colored photographs of fishing. The book deals with the development of the Czech nymph from its early history to present. The Czech fly fishers are fishing in World Competitions and their fly designs and techniques have been successful in winning World Championships. Possibly the most important aspect of this book about Czech nymphing for American anglers, is the discussion of leader design, and Krivanec draws on the expertise of several successful anglers to describe their typical leader setup. This book is unique in its subject matter and presentation of many insights that will make the reader a more productive angler. More than that, it proves that the sport of fly fishing forms a global brotherhood.


Item	Title	Price	To Top
978-80-903882-5-3	Book, Czech Nymph and Other Related Fly Fishing Methods	$39.95	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey
Black/Blue	Green Butt	Orange Butt	Orange/Purple	Wine

Hoh Bo Spey Series
As tied by Charles St. Pierre
This is a fly that could be fished on the swing for steelhead and salmon year round using anything from a Skagit head and a heavy sink tip to a full floating line and long leader. Named after two legendary Pacific Northwest steelhead rivers and influenced by numerous northwest “Intruder” fly variations this fly was designed with a full calendar years worth of fishing in mind. The ease with which this fly is cast along with its effectiveness and the variations of the depth control needed to fish effectively throughout the fishing year make it an ideal fly to fish for steelhead and salmon nearly anywhere at anytime.
Tied on a 25 mm shank with a short looped trailer hook and using a blend of natural and synthetic fly tying materials, innovative Northwest steelhead, salmon, and spey casting angler Charles St. Pierre has created another unique fly that combines a medium size silhouette with amazing lifelike action.
The medium size profile allows this fly to attract and be seen by fish within a wide range of water and fishing conditions for winter, spring, summer, and fall fishing seasons. The long and limp natural guinea, marabou, and Lady Amherst fibers create incredible lifelike action and are dressed lightly to allow maximum depth penetration quickly and efficiently. The variations of synthetic dubbed body create contrast and brightness inside the fly silhouette while the body hackle supports the longer fibers for a broader silhouette and additional action. Because this fly uses few materials and is lightly dressed to create its medium size profile and amazing action, it casts easily and efficiently with both single and double handed rods.
For years, this style of fly and the color combinations used for this series have proven themselves to be extremely effective on many of the steelhead and salmon streams of the Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska.

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Black/Blue This is a great bet for steelhead on any river. It is especially good when the the light levels are low. This fly can be fished any time of year, under most water conditions. If you only have one fly to fish glacial origin streams, this might be the one.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
ST0705BB	Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Black and Blue	2	3 for $8.25	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Green Butt Try this fly when fishing on the Deschutes when water color is a little off, or when the water levels are a little high. Can be fished with a sinking tip or floating line.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
ST0705GB	Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Green Butt	2	3 for $8.25	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Orange Butt This wispy fly is a good bet for summer steelhead on the Umpqua and any of the coastal streams. Try this pattern with a floating line and broadside swing under extremely light tension. watch it crawl, breath and pulsate as it comes across the river. Hang on!
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
ST0705OB	Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Orange Butt	2	3 for $8.25	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Orange/Purple You gotta' love this pattern. No short strikes with this one. This may be the most irresistible color combination for late steelhead returning to inland Columbia River tributaries.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
ST0705OP	Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Orange and Purple	2	3 for $8.25	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Wine This is a sleeper pattern for any summer or winter steelhead river. Wine is a good early morning bet for the Clackamas or Sandy when the water is running clear. Has been proven throughout Washington, British Columbia and Alaska as well.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
ST0705WN	Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Wine	2	3 for $8.25	Sale Over

Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Wine for steelhead any time of year, for any river in the Pacific Northwest!

Wine color Hoh Bo Spey Fly, for steelhead any time of year,
for any river in the Pacific Northwest!

The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR

1(800) 266-3971

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www.flyfishUSA.com

Fish long & prosper,
Mark & Patty