In May, stream levels in the Park drop, and the natural insects become smaller. As a result, the trout become more cautious than they were earlier in the season.

Light Cahill Mayflies (Stenonema canadense) start hatching in May, and ants, beetles, and other terrestrials are present in large numbers along the streams. Although the numbers of fish caught in May may not be as high as early in the season, the fishing is still very rewarding. There are still many rising fish, and matching wits with them at this time of the year is a challenge.

Approach the trout from below, and cast so the fish sees only the fly, and a short section of tippet. Never lay the fly line or the heavy part of the leader directly over feeding trout. This is especially true then the water is low and clear, and the fish are spooky.

Before I make my first cast, I study the water in order to pinpoint possible targets. The trout don't rise frantically this time of year, so it may take a little time to identify each fish in the pool. Many people have a bad habit of shooting the first cast out to the first rise they see in a pool, spooking the largest fish in the process.

A #16 Light Cahill is a good match for the natural mayflies. A #14-#16 Crowe Beetle is a popular fly for matching the beetles, but I catch many more trout on a Murray's Flying Beetle #14-#16. I use three different ant patterns in the Park, my choice being governed by the whims of the trout. My first choice is usually a #16-#20 Mr. Rapidan Ant. My son Jeff designed this easy-to-see fly specifically for fishing Shenandoah National Park. It's my ace in the hole when I see trout refuse other dry flies. I also use black and cinnamon McMurray Ants in both in the same sizes as a change of pace.

June Suphurs
The last mayfly of the spring season is the Sulphur mayfly (Ephemerella dorothea). These insects start emerging in mid-May and may last until late June.

This is a great hatch because the duns start coming off about two hours before dark, and then about an hour later the spinners start coming back to the stream. During the last hour of the day, the trout feed heavily on this concentrated food source. In some good pools I've often seen six or eight trout all rising on separate feeding stations during this event.

During this hatch, approach the water stealthily, and make a very delicate upstream presentation showing the fish only the fly and a short section of 6X tippet. My favorite Sulphur patterns are Ed Shenk Sulphurs in #16-#18, the Gray Yellow No Hackle Dun #16-#18, and the Hair Wing No Hackle Sulphur Dun.

McMurray Ant
		RECIPE HOOK: Tiemco 100, #14-#20. THREAD: Black 6/0. BODY: Two round cork cylinders glued to monofilament. HACKLE: Black.