The illustrious Quill Gordon marks spring’s arrival to many an east coast fly fisher. Steeped in the legends of North American fly fishing like no other insect, its mere name evokes classic hatches, stealth presentations, and top water strikes on classic stream in New York's Catskills. In actuality the Quill Gordon’s range goes north to
Maine, south to the Carolinas and west to
Minnesota.
All the quill nymphs need is some warming 50 degree water seems perfect to quicken their metabolism and equally as important the fish’s. The nymphs are clingers and similar to the March Brown. Their body is fat allowing them to move under and around slippery rocks in moving water. The nymphs can be distinguished by only having two tails, instead of the more common three. Their size as adult nymphs is generally around a size 14. And can be imitated with standard hare’s ears and pheasant tails. PMD and March Brown nymphs are also excellent. The quill gordon wet fly is a more exact imitation and is excellent when they start moving sub-surface.
The emergence of Quill Gordon nymphs compared to other mayflies is a model of efficiency, spending precious few seconds in the surface film. On warm days they can take off immediately once emerged, meaning those second in the emerging stage may be a trout’s best chance. Trout learn quickly and become ferocious when taking emergers, making for some violent strikes sub-surface.
Best dry fly action is during inclement weather, when the newly emerged duns must ride the current longer waiting for their wings to ready for flight. Simple observations can show you where the adults drift to, and most likely where hungry trout are congregating.
In twenty four hours they return as spinners to mate where males die immediately after mating. Shortly thereafter females return to deposit their eggs. This is the easiest prey of the Quill Gordon lifecycle for trout, but these events are quick and hard to predict. Luck in timing and careful observation are needed but well worth it.
