
At this time of year it is important to be patient. Most hatches won’t occur until the afternoon or even early evening. And with spring hatches the bug activity does not necessarily need to be heavy to bring fish to the surface so always be on the search for risers.
The Hendrickson hatch is the first major occurrence of the year and can get some of the largest trout in the river or stream looking up and feeding aggressively. A trout’s senses are not as finely honed at this time of year as compared to later in the season. This provides a great opportunity to fool the fish of your dreams. But it will still require a careful approach, accurate casts, and a drag-free presentation.
I carry a variety of patterns to represent every stage of the insect cycle and even a few alternatives of each stage for some variety. For me the thrill of going one-on-one with a large feeding trout seems to embody the very essence of fly fishing.