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The Hendrickson Mayfly Mayflies are essential
to trout fly fishing. There are still ultra purists who consider
casting dry mayfly patterns upstream to rising trout the ONLY form of
fly fishing. I wasn't brought up that way and find that way of thinking
too limiting. For one thing it would severely limit my time on the
water, and would force me to get rid of about three-fourths of my
beloved fly fishing gear. However, I must admit, there is a certain
timeless quality to casting classic dry flies upstream to rising trout.
And if that were available to me year round, well I might move to closer
to ultra purist status.
One of the classic mayfly species is commonly called the Hendrickson.
But it's Latin name is Ephemerella subvaria, and then there is the
Light Hendrickson and it's Latin name Ephemerella invaria. But it
doesn't stop there, there are several species that entomologists have
identified. But we as fly fisher's have simplified that and lumped all
these into Light Hendrickson and Dark Hendrickson.
How the Hendrickson mayfly received it's common name is a bit of
fly fishing lore. As told by Roy Steenrod of Liberty, New York:
'"One day in 1916, while we were fishing the Beaverkill below the
junction pool at Roscoe, a hatch of flies came on. We had never seen
the fish rise so freely for any fly as they did for this hatch. I caught
one of the flies and put it into my fly box, and after lunch that day
at Ferdon's I tied some patterns of the fly as nearly as I could. We
took fish with fly day in and day out, and for years it proved to be a
killer and is so today. One day, while sitting on the bank of the stream
perhaps two years after I had tied the first patterns, the matter was
brought up as to which I would call or name the fly. Looking at A.E.,
the best friend a person could ever wish to have, I said, 'the fly is
the Hendrickson.' I saw at once that A.E. was pleased.'
The Dark Hendrickson
or the Ephemerella subvaria is one of, if not the first substantial
hatch on many rivers every spring. When water temperature hits 50
degrees the fish begin seeing and keying on this mayfly. The males and
females look very different, while the Dark Hendrickson pattern is a
great imitation of the male, the Light Hendrickson
is probably closer to the female. However, the classic pattern
described above is the Dark Hendrickson, that worked so well all those
years ago. And still does today.
 - Hendrickson NymphThe Light Hendrickson pattern is commonly used for two other mayfly hatches. The Ephemerella invaria can also be called Pale evening Dun or Sulphur
and is commonly mistaken with the Ephemerella dorithea. But the invaria
hatches first, often right after the subvaria or Dark Hendrickson. It
is more robust than the later Pale Evening Dun or Sulphur patterns. For
most fly angler’s however, it is enough to remember Dark Hendrickson
first then Light Hendrickson second. Once in a great while angler’s will
not have any luck on rising trout hitting the Dark Hendrickson, even
though it is only the subvaria that is out. Perhaps the trout are keying
only on females, for whatever reason switching to the Light Hendrickson
seems to do the trick.
One other thing about the Light and Dark Hendrickson fly
patterns. Is that they make great general all-purpose mayfly attractor
patterns. Renowned fly fishing author Skip Morris, has proposed that
only two mayfly patterns are required in one’s arsenal a dark and light
pattern. While most angler’s wouldn’t be comfortable with such a limited
offering, these two patterns would complement each other just fine. The
Dark Hendrickson is second only to the Adams as the most used all
purpose mayfly attractor. Let’s also not forget
the sub-surface version of these great trout mayflies. The common three
patterns that cover the whole Hendrickson family of may flies are as
follows. Of course there is the Hendrickson Nymph, which is a close cousin of the all-time great Mayfly nymph the Pheasant Tail.They can be traced back to when
affluent fly fisher’s had their own tier’s, and they are still used
today. Classics never go out of style.
 - Hendrickson Dun, female (photo: www.troutnut.com)
The Light Hendrickson pattern is commonly used for two other mayfly hatches. The Ephemerella invaria can also be called Pale evening Dun or Sulphur
and is commonly mistaken with the Ephemerella dorithea. But the invaria
hatches first, often right after the subvaria or Dark Hendrickson. It
is more robust than the later Pale Evening Dun or Sulphur patterns. For
most fly angler’s however, it is enough to remember Dark Hendrickson
first then Light Hendrickson second. Once in a great while angler’s will
not have any luck on rising trout hitting the Dark Hendrickson, even
though it is only the subvaria that is out. Perhaps the trout are keying
only on females, for whatever reason switching to the Light Hendrickson
seems to do the trick.
 - The Light Hendrickson Dry Fly
One other thing about the Light and Dark Hendrickson fly
patterns. Is that they make great general all-purpose mayfly attractor
patterns. Renowned fly fishing author Skip Morris, has proposed that
only two mayfly patterns are required in one’s arsenal a dark and light
pattern. While most angler’s wouldn’t be comfortable with such a limited
offering, these two patterns would complement each other just fine. The
Dark Hendrickson is second only to the Adams as the most used all
purpose mayfly attractor. Let’s also not forget
the sub-surface version of these great trout mayflies. The common three
patterns that cover the whole Hendrickson family of may flies are as
follows. Of course there is the Hendrickson Nymph, which is a close cousin of the all-time great Mayfly nymph the Pheasant Tail.
The
Hendrickson’s, whichever Mayfly is on the water, are a versatile
combination to have in your possession. They can be traced back to when
affluent fly fisher’s had their own tier’s, and they are still used
today. Classics never go out of style.
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- Hendrickson Dun, male. (photo: 
- Hendrickson Nymph (photo: 