White Mayfly

Overview: The White Mayfly (Epheron leucon), often referred to as shad flies or up-wing flies, is a large, late-summer mayfly that is both striking and short-lived. With its bright white body, delicate wings, and distinctive presence during warm evenings, it creates memorable fishing opportunities for anglers. Found in slower rivers and lakes, its brief but intense hatches often draw feeding frenzies from trout, bass, and other fish.

Nymph Stage: White Mayfly nymphs are burrowers, averaging 1/2" to 3/4" in size. Their bodies are pale tan to yellowish-brown, with strong legs and two long tails. Hook sizes 10–12 are effective for imitating these nymphs. They reside in silty or sandy substrates and are most active during their pre-emergence migration to shallow water. Drift a weighted nymph along the bottom in slower currents for the best results.

Adult Stage: Adult White Mayflies are large and unmistakable, measuring 1/2" to 3/4" in length with bright white bodies and semi-transparent, upturned wings. They hatch in the evening, often in massive numbers, and their spinners fall shortly after emergence. Dry fly imitations tied on hook sizes 10–12 work well to mimic the duns. Fish are often aggressive during this hatch, so placing flies in feeding lanes near the surface is key. Spinners can be matched with patterns featuring slender white bodies and clear wings to extend fishing into twilight hours.