Hatch Guide · Mayfly (Heptageniidae)

Quill Gordon

The Quill Gordon is among the earliest dry-fly hatches of the Eastern season, emerging in riffles when water temps reach the mid-40s in April.

Peak months: AprilMay

Top fly patterns

1
Quill Gordon fly pattern

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Month-by-month activity

Number of rivers where the Quill Gordon hatch is active each month.

Jan
Feb
Mar
4 rivers
Apr
23 rivers
May
Jun ●
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Rivers where Quill Gordon hatches

Deerfield River
Massachusetts Active: Apr
Cold tailwater below Fife Brook Dam (Florida, MA) plus the Mohawk Trail water. Dam releases drive fl…
Westfield River
Massachusetts Active: Apr
Wild trout freestone river in the Berkshires. West Branch holds native brookies in upper reaches. St…
Battenkill River
Vermont Active: Apr
Classic wild brown and brook trout river — no stocking, technical fish, clear water. Cooler than the…
Upper Delaware River
Pennsylvania / New York Active: Apr
Big tailwater-influenced system (West and East Branches plus the main stem) holding wild rainbows an…
Beaverkill River
New York Active: Apr
The birthplace of American dry-fly fishing. Classic Catskill freestone water with Quill Gordon, Hend…
Ausable River
New York Active: Apr
Classic Adirondack freestone river with wild brookies in upper reaches and browns and rainbows in th…
Esopus Creek
New York Active: Apr
NYC watershed tailwater — Tunnel Portal releases cold water from the Schoharie Reservoir, keeping te…
Penns Creek
Pennsylvania Active: Mar, Apr
Limestone-fed wild trout stream famous for its Green Drake hatch in late May. Catch-and-release sect…
Brodhead Creek
Pennsylvania Active: Apr
Historic Pocono trout stream. Wild and stocked fish. Good access throughout. Classic Hendrickson and…
Gallatin River
Montana Active: Apr
Classic freestone river paralleling Highway 191 through the canyon south of Bozeman. Wild fish in th…
Blackfoot River
Montana Active: Apr
Immortalized by Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Recovered wild fishery with strong stonefl…
Bitterroot River
Montana Active: Apr
Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Nati…
Clark Fork River
Montana Active: Apr
Recovering river through Missoula and western Montana. Bull trout present — handle with care. Good c…
Snake River
Wyoming Active: Apr
Pure wild Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout in a spectacular Teton backdrop. Float-fishing th…
Arkansas River
Colorado Active: Apr
Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing be…
Roaring Fork River
Colorado Active: Apr
Gold Medal freestone and tailwater water through Aspen and down to Glenwood Springs. Strong PMD, cad…
Cache la Poudre River
Colorado Active: Apr
Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Freestone character through Poudre Canyo…
Salmon River
Idaho Active: Apr
The River of No Return — a wilderness canyon river through central Idaho. Wild steelhead and chinook…
Au Sable River
Michigan Active: Apr
Michigan's most famous trout river — spring-fed, clear water through northern Michigan pines. The He…
Pere Marquette River
Michigan Active: Apr
Blue Ribbon wild trout and steelhead river through northern Michigan. Spring steelhead and fall chin…
Watauga River
Tennessee Active: Mar, Apr
Cold tailwater below Watauga Dam. Year-round fishery with strong sulphur, caddis, and yellow sally h…
Davidson River
North Carolina Active: Mar, Apr
Gem of the Southern Appalachians in Pisgah National Forest. Wild trout in clear mountain water. Hatc…
Rose River
Virginia Active: Mar, Apr
Remote wild trout stream in Shenandoah National Park foothills. Native brook trout in upper reaches,…

How to fish the Quill Gordon

Fish runs and riffles in early April midday. A size 12–14 Quill Gordon dry on 5X tippet.

Frequently asked

When does the Quill Gordon hatch?

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

What flies match the Quill Gordon hatch?

Top patterns: Quill Gordon (size 12-14).

What rivers have a good Quill Gordon hatch?

Quill Gordon hatches are documented on 23 rivers including: Deerfield River, Westfield River, Battenkill River, Upper Delaware River, Beaverkill River and 18 more.

How do I fish the Quill Gordon hatch?

Fish runs and riffles in early April midday. A size 12–14 Quill Gordon dry on 5X tippet.

What is the Quill Gordon?

The Quill Gordon is among the earliest dry-fly hatches of the Eastern season, emerging in riffles when water temps reach the mid-40s in April. Family: Mayfly (Heptageniidae).

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