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The mayfly hatch is well known for some of the best (and easiest) sport of the year. What fewer people seem to appreciate is that you can often get equally good sport (admitedly sub-surface) long before the hatch using mayfly nymph imitations. The best known pattern is called the Walkers mayfly nymph (see above).

Although an adult mayfly lasts just one day the life-cycle of the mayfly nymph can last up to 2 years. I sometime wonder if trout think that lighter patterns such as gold-ribbed hares ear that are used throughout the year are actually young mayfly nymphs.

From mid-April on I start using the Walkers mayfly nymph pattern above. I have found that at this time, about a month before the main hatch, trout will hit these nymphs incredibly hard. The old adage of having the rod pulled out of your hand is quite possible, indeed I was almost pulled in by one particularly ferocious take last year. I dont know quite why trout behave like this - it is almost as if they are attacking it rather than simply eating it. Anyone got any ideas why this is?