Hatch Guide · Mayfly (Ephemeridae)

Green Drake

The Green Drake is the most anticipated hatch of the year on classic Eastern limestone streams. Size 8–12 and emerging in brief, intense afternoon windows in late May and early June, Green Drakes move the largest fish in the river.

Peak months: MayJune · now

Top fly patterns

1
Green Drake / Coffin Fly fly pattern
Green Drake / Coffin Fly
Size 8-12 · dry
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Month-by-month activity

Number of rivers where the Green Drake hatch is active each month.

Jan
—
Feb
—
Mar
—
Apr
—
May
26 rivers
Jun ●
29 rivers
Jul
2 rivers
Aug
—
Sep
—
Oct
—
Nov
—
Dec
—

Rivers where Green Drake hatches

Westfield River Active now
Massachusetts Active: May, Jun
Wild trout freestone river in the Berkshires. West Branch holds native brookies in upper reaches. St…
Upper Delaware River Active now
Pennsylvania / New York Active: May, Jun
Big tailwater-influenced system (West and East Branches plus the main stem) holding wild rainbows an…
Beaverkill River Active now
New York Active: May, Jun
The birthplace of American dry-fly fishing. Classic Catskill freestone water with Quill Gordon, Hend…
Ausable River Active now
New York Active: May, Jun
Classic Adirondack freestone river with wild brookies in upper reaches and browns and rainbows in th…
Penns Creek Active now
Pennsylvania Active: May, Jun
Limestone-fed wild trout stream famous for its Green Drake hatch in late May. Catch-and-release sect…
Gallatin River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Classic freestone river paralleling Highway 191 through the canyon south of Bozeman. Wild fish in th…
Madison River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
One of Montana's legendary Blue Ribbon rivers. PMD, caddis, and salmonfly hatches make June and July…
Missouri River Active now
Montana Active: Jun
World-class tailwater below Holter Dam near Craig. Midge and BWO hatches year-round; PMD and trico d…
Blackfoot River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Immortalized by Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Recovered wild fishery with strong stonefl…
Big Hole River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
One of the last wild arctic grayling rivers in the lower 48. Blue Ribbon trout water with massive sa…
Yellowstone River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley section near Livingston is prime Blu…
Bitterroot River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Nati…
Clark Fork River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Recovering river through Missoula and western Montana. Bull trout present — handle with care. Good c…
Snake River Active now
Wyoming Active: May, Jun
Pure wild Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout in a spectacular Teton backdrop. Float-fishing th…
North Platte River Active now
Wyoming Active: Jun
The famous Miracle Mile below Seminoe Reservoir — cold tailwater holding large rainbows and browns. …
South Platte River Active now
Colorado Active: Jun
Gold Medal water through Cheesman Canyon and the Dream Stream above Eleven Mile Reservoir. Highly te…
Fryingpan River Active now
Colorado Active: Jun
World-class Gold Medal tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt. Massive midge and PMD hatches. M…
Arkansas River Active now
Colorado Active: May, Jun
Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing be…
Roaring Fork River Active now
Colorado Active: May, Jun
Gold Medal freestone and tailwater water through Aspen and down to Glenwood Springs. Strong PMD, cad…
Blue River Active now
Colorado Active: Jun
Gold Medal tailwater below Dillon Reservoir in Silverthorne. Heavily fished but holds large fish. Mi…
Cache la Poudre River
Colorado Active: May
Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Freestone character through Poudre Canyo…
Henry's Fork Active now
Idaho Active: May, Jun
The Railroad Ranch reach through Harriman State Park is among the world's greatest dry-fly fisheries…
Silver Creek Active now
Idaho Active: May, Jun
Spring creek near Hemingway's Sun Valley. Crystal clear, spring-fed water with massive, selective tr…
South Fork Boise River Active now
Idaho Active: Jun
Cold tailwater below Anderson Ranch Dam. Strong midge and PMD hatches. Bull trout present — handle c…
Salmon River Active now
Idaho Active: May, Jun
The River of No Return — a wilderness canyon river through central Idaho. Wild steelhead and chinook…
Deschutes River
Oregon Active: May
Oregon's crown jewel. Wild redsides and summer steelhead in a dramatic canyon. Salmonfly hatch in la…
Rogue River
Oregon Active: May
Wild and Scenic River with famous steelhead and salmon runs. Spring Chinook and summer steelhead att…
McKenzie River
Oregon Active: May
Home of the McKenzie River drift boat design. Gin-clear spring-fed water with wild rainbows. Skwala …
Metolius River
Oregon Active: May
Spring-fed river emerging fully formed from the base of Black Butte. Catch-and-release artificial on…
Yakima River
Washington Active: May
Washington's premier trout river — Blue Ribbon water through the canyon below Cle Elum. Skwala hatch…
Green River Active now
Utah Active: Jun
World-class tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam. Sections A, B, and C offer different water types. Pro…
Provo River Active now
Utah Active: Jun
Gold Medal tailwater from Jordanelle Reservoir through Provo Canyon. Midge and BWO year-round; PMD a…
San Juan River Active now
New Mexico Active: Jun
Year-round Gold Medal tailwater with consistent flows below Navajo Dam. The Texas Hole no-kill stret…
Au Sable River Active now
Michigan Active: Jun, Jul
Michigan's most famous trout river — spring-fed, clear water through northern Michigan pines. The He…
Pere Marquette River Active now
Michigan Active: Jun, Jul
Blue Ribbon wild trout and steelhead river through northern Michigan. Spring steelhead and fall chin…
Hat Creek
California Active: May
Spring-fed wild trout fishery below PG&E powerhouse. California Wild Trout Program water with artifi…
Fall River
California Active: May
Boat-access-only spring creek in the Fall River Valley. Flat, clear water with massive, selective wi…

How to fish the Green Drake

Green Drakes are unpredictable — they may hatch for only a few days on any given stretch. A size 10 Green Drake Wulff or Extended Body Drake. The Coffin Fly spinner is fished flush in the film at dusk.

Frequently asked

When does the Green Drake hatch?

Peak emergence: May, June. Timing varies by elevation, latitude, and water temperature.

What flies match the Green Drake hatch?

Top patterns: Green Drake / Coffin Fly (size 8-12).

What rivers have a good Green Drake hatch?

Green Drake hatches are documented on 37 rivers including: Westfield River, Upper Delaware River, Beaverkill River, Ausable River, Penns Creek and 32 more.

How do I fish the Green Drake hatch?

Green Drakes are unpredictable — they may hatch for only a few days on any given stretch. A size 10 Green Drake Wulff or Extended Body Drake. The Coffin Fly spinner is fished flush in the film at dusk.

What is the Green Drake?

The Green Drake is the most anticipated hatch of the year on classic Eastern limestone streams. Size 8–12 and emerging in brief, intense afternoon windows in late May and early June, Green Drakes move the largest fish in the river. Family: Mayfly (Ephemeridae).

Related

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