The sound of a splashing trout as the scratchy sound of blackbirds lining the banks of the Mad River must mean its the season of the Ephemerella.  Noted in my previous post of the Hendrickson, the Sulphur is also part of the genus Ephemerella, a species of super crawlers that actively swim to the surface chased by trout during the May and June season. These hardy nymphs are prolific all over the United States and I consider one of the best hatches to fish trout. The magic hour as some have phased is by finding areas of fast riffles with adjacent soft eddies and slow to medium currents where these active wiggly swimmers make their way to the surface. I remember a book I read years ago describing that the Sulphurs can hatch underneath the water, break the surface, and while trying to dry the wings float for an endless time downstream preparing for takeoff.  Thus, creating a conveyor belt of food for hungry trout!

Guiding the hatch is a wonderful experience both for the guide and the angler. In the hours before the hatch, a deep nymph with a dry fly indicator is key as the bugs are actively crawling along the bottom preparing themselves for the metamorphosis. As the hatch begins, a soft hackle swing targeting the emerger stage is lethal. Once the Sulphurs reach the surface, a dun pattern or two floating high and dry gives the anglers a heart-pounding trout rise. Finally the mesmerizing sip of a trout on a spinner completes the day.

So… what I am saying is get the floatant and fish upstream like a gentlemen. Some would say the only way to fish a dry fly, lol.

May Mad River Trout Fishing Report 

The recent rains of the 19th-20th reduced clarity and increased the water level. Expect the weekend to fish very well during late morning to evening if precipitation is limited. 

  • Tactics and Hatch: nymphing with emergers in the morning and early afternoon is key. Switch to soft hackle swings as the bugs start to pop, and then tie on a dun once you hear the splashes of a rising trout. 
  • Patterns: Find some size in nymphs, emergers, and dries between 14 and 18. Usually I am seeing a 14-16 on the Mad. Tom Rosenbauer, John Barr, and Kerry Galloup all have wonderful patterns in all stages.
May Smallmouth Fishing Report

The smallmouth fishing up until this week was phenomenal. Fish were everywhere they should be. Fishing low along the bottom or stripping streamers in a slow to medium pacec was producing good numbers and healthy sizes. On the Stillwater river last week, I did find bass on nests so I imagine the fish are in almost done from spawning on most streams around Dayton including the Great Miami and the Stillwater. The Mad River and Twin Creek are colder in water temperature and still may have bass on their nests. One the water recedes and clears, the fishing should fire right back up.

Let’s Get on the Water

May will be a fantastic time on the Mad River and on the local smallmouth. My books are closed for the remainder of May, but I have openings starting the second week of June through the summer. Let’s wet a line.

— Parker