At this early part of the season a lot of anglers tend to ignore terrestrial flies but here is one that you really have to watch out for in the coming weeks – the Hawthorne fly.

Source: dryflyexpert.blogspot

The Hawthorne fly is a black fly with long straggly legs and it is a poor flyer.  As the weather warms up this fly will become more plentiful (in fact I have seen some in good numbers already).  Ideally you want a stiff breeze as well as the rise in temperatures because this is needed to blow the flies onto the water.  Once there they are not very good at escaping and present a good meal for a hungry trout.

source: fishingwithstyle.co.uk

If the Hawthorne are there in sufficient numbers on rivers and lakes, a dry fly pattern will work a treat.  There are some good imitations out there tied with foam bodies or extended chenille bodies.  The black knotted legs are an important trigger point.  Trout will also mop up the drowned fly and a ginked-up wet fly such as a bibio hopper can work very well.

source: caledonia flies