Handy Hatch Guide - Plant Phenology

Gregory Hoover co-authored a book with Charlie Meck entitled "Great Rivers, Great Hatches."  Below is a segment about how plants and insects interact in a term known to entomologists as plant phenology.  Think about this while you are driving/fishing and it can give you an idea of when a hatch may be expected to start on some of your favorite streams.  


"How is plant information useful to you as a fly-fisherman? By recognizing plants or flowers along your favorite river or the one you plan to fly fish, you too can take advantage of phenology.  We've included a chart of some of the more important hatches for your reference so that you can get started.  Within a couple years you will be able to adapt these to observations you make on your own favorite trout fisheries.

East and Midwest

Common Name	Flowers appearing when the hatch appears
Quill Gordon	Forsythia just opening
Blue Quill	Forsythia just opening
Hendrickson	Forsythia in full bloom
Sulphur	Lilac in first bloom
Gray Fox	Dame’s rocket just opening
Green Drake	Black locust in full bloom
Slate Drake	Oxeye daisy first bloom
Yellow Drake	Chickory and elderberry first bloom
Trico	Queen Anne’s lace first blooming or spotted knapweed just opening
White Fly	New England aster just opening