Fly fishing for trout is all about selecting the right fly.

What fly should I use to catch trout in September?

September Match the Hatch

Mahogany Dun

Welcome to our first issue (actually done this before just not for a while) of Match the Hatch! In these monthly blogs, we are going to do our best to help you match the hatch for what is happening in our local rivers and lakes to help you have as much success as possible.  This month we are going to be talking about Mahogany Duns.

Entomology 

Mahogany Dun is actually its common name, these mayflies are actually Paraleptophlebia, which is why we refer to insects by their common names instead. In our local areas Paraleptophlebia gregalis hatches in the spring, while P. debilis and P. bicortuta, hatch in the fall.

Mahogany Dun Nymph

These nymphs generally live in faster water, but as they mature they will move into slower waters to emerge. Some may emerge on the shore or rocks, but most will emerge from the slow open water where many are available to trout. Hatches usually begin in mid-morning and continue through mid-afternoon. Their emergence in the Fall season is prompted when water temperature cools to around the 50-degree mark.

This is a tricky hatch to set your watch by, as some days it can be good and others not, and not all water is ideal for good numbers of hatching Paraleptophlebia. Normally there are not huge numbers of these bugs popping off at once, but the steady emergence all afternoon will keep a few fish rising. Look for those rising fish in slower runs, margin water, and eddies. Use light tippet and fish with caution as they can be easily spooked in such shallow slow water.
Matching Flies
For nymphs, use Hares Ear, Floating Nymphs, and Pheasant Tails. I prefer to use l dry patterns in or on the surface of the water, flies such as; Sparkle D, CDC loop emergers, Tilt wings, and Thorax Duns. In a pinch, you can get by using a Purple Haze. We don't often fish spinner patterns, post for this hatch.
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