It’s PMD Time!

Pale morning duns, or PMD’s (a nickname derived from the initials of it’s common name), provide anglers with reliable dry fly fishing during the summer months. Their widespread population, convenient hatching times, and willingness to hatch in beautiful weather, makes them one of the most popular aquatic insects.

Daily emergences can last for a few weeks to several months depending on the drainage, water temperatures, and stream flows. Hatches typically begin in mid-June and continue through September. Western pale morning duns include two species—Ephemerella dorothea infrequens and Ephemerella excursions.

Daily emergences of PMD’s are occurring on most trout streams in Colorado right now. Make sure you stock your fly boxes with an ample supply of PMD nymphs and a variety of dun imitations. Jay Nichols photo.

Make sure you fill your fly boxes withplentyof #16-18 Flashback Barr Emergers (PMD), #18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails, #18 Mercury PMD’s, and #18 Mitchell’s Spilt Case PMD. The fish are driving hard on PMD nymphs in the shallow riffles and transitional zones.

Dry fly enthusiasts will find their fair share of rising fish too. My favorite dry flies are #18 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #18 Cannon’s Snowshoe Dun, #18 Parachute PMD, and #18 Barr’s Vis-a-dun. Fishing is improving by the day as waterlevelscontinue to recede. Look for excellent dry fly fishing to continue for the remainder of the summer season.