Bibio marci - Hawthorn Fly

On sunny spring days, hawthorn flies flit along the hedgerows and among low bushes; and if there is a good breeze, particularly on exposed upland streams and lakes, very many of these large flies end up on the water. These are the first of the terrestrial insects to cause a worthwhile rise.

The large female hawthorn flies begin hatching around St Mark's day, which is 25th April, although their smaller mates are sometimes seen a week or so earlier. The hatch is generally over by mid May.

In meadowland you will often see swarms of hawthorn flies rushing about just above head height. Once on the water, it is rare for a hawthorn fly to escape the attention of trout

Hawthorn imitation (Jon Beer)

This simple but very effective pattern was devised by Jon Beer, for whom the hawthorn fly is a firm favourite. The hook is a size 14.

Fishing tip

Although stillwater trout will sometimes take a 'retrieved' hawthorn fly fished just below the surface, dry fly tactics are usually best when tackling river trout and 'educated' stillwater trout.

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