Skip to main content

Hendricksons Hatch A Month Early

Hendricksons Hatch A Month Early
A few Hendrickson nymphs, almost ready to emerge

Well, it's official. Winter has ended. The biggest snowstorm in Central Pennsylvania occurred in October, so it's not like winter was slow to release its grip. But yesterday's spring arrival brought an unexpected visitor. After fishing elsewhere for a few hours in the morning, I decided to take a look at Upper Penns Creek in front of my house. I saw the usual Blue Winged Olives and stoneflies fluttering in the air. But then a larger mayfly lifted from the water. Then another. Trout began to rise, and I grabbed my butterfly net to capture and identify these bugs. They were Hendricksons, a month before they're supposed to be here.

A few Hendrickson nymphs, almost ready to emerge

  

This one emerged in my hand 

The weird weather in recent years has made hatch charts completely unreliable. But my friend Charlie Meck reminded me, just a few days ago, that he doesn't use hatch charts. He looks at the flowers. Forsythia has been blooming for two days around my home. And when the Forsythia is in bloom, the Hendricksons emerge.

A female Hendrickson dun on a Forsythia petal

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Fly Tying

Perdigon Fly

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
News

Mag Promo April-May 2023

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Finding and Catching Trout in Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Destinations/Species

Packing for Fly Fishing Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Bugs, Aquatic Invertebrates, and other Forage Food of Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Over the Guardrail: Sometimes a Monumental Journey Can be Close to Home

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying Matt Winkler's Balanced Leather Leech

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Angler And Artist Inspiration: Nick Mayer Art

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying the Kamchatka Mouse

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying Villwock's The Roamer–A Streamer for All Species

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Blood Run: Fly Fishing with Amazon Warriors

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
News

FF-Feb-Mar-23 Promo

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Fly Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now