Green Drake Cripple

This Green Drake Cripple pattern is a fantastic midseason pattern and can be fished in the later part of May on into mid-June. This Green Drake Cripple pattern represents larger mayfly species, in North America most commonly, Ephemera Guttulata.

The term “cripple” relates to dun that has failed to emerge completely. The dun becomes trapped in its nymph casing and it cannot pull free. The hatch this pattern imitates normally occur on cloudier overcast days, later in the day beginning at dusk and continuing for an hour or so. These mayflies can produce a “super hatch”.

A super hatch, on the flip side, may be sporadic and occur in varying volume at specific areas of the river, this makes it tricky. Once the conditions are right, the hatch can occur and continue for a number of days. Fish this pattern on a dead drift with a little action to impersonate the struggling dun.

When fishing any dry fly pattern, matching the color and the size to the hatch are critical, with presentation being the finishing touch to this trinity. Often overlooked is the casting of shadow from your leader, which may lead to spooked fish.   We suggest selecting a high float leader. Additional waterproofing can be given to your fly delaying it becoming waterlogged, by applying a flotant product such as Gink ®.

All flies are tied with American sourced materials including Hareline Dubbin Materials and Whiting Farm's Hackles & Capes and are tied on premium hooks.