NJ Trout Stream Hatch Charts
Match the hatch on New Jersey's premier trout streams. Based on decades of guide observations on the South Branch Raritan, Musconetcong, and Lamington Rivers.
Quick Bug ID Guide
Upright Wings
MAYFLIES
Wings stand up like a sailboat. Two or three tails. Most common hatch type.
Tent Wings
CADDIS
Wings fold tent-like over body. Moth-like appearance. Very active on water.
Tiny / Mosquito-like
MIDGES
Very small, mosquito-shaped. Hatch year-round. Important in winter.
Mayflies
Hook Size: 16-18
Peak: Late March - Early April
Description: Small, dark gray-blue mayfly. One of the first mayflies of the season.
Patterns: Blue Quill, Quill Gordon, Parachute Adams
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: April
Description: Gray-brown body with distinctive banding. Emerges on cold, overcast days.
Patterns: Quill Gordon, March Brown, Hare's Ear
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: Mid-April to early May
Description: Pinkish-tan body. One of the most anticipated hatches of spring.
Patterns: Hendrickson, Red Quill, Comparadun
Hook Size: 10-12
Peak: Late May
Description: Large tan/brown mayfly. Heavy hatch in fast water.
Patterns: March Brown, Gray Fox, Light Cahill
Hook Size: 14-18
Peak: Late May - June
Description: Pale yellow mayfly. Evening hatch can be spectacular.
Patterns: Sulphur Dun, Pale Evening Dun, Yellow Comparadun
Hook Size: 16-22
Peak: April, October
Description: Small olive-gray mayfly. Hatches on cloudy, rainy days.
Patterns: BWO, Olive Comparadun, RS2
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: Late May - June
Description: Similar to March Brown but grayer. Evening emergence.
Patterns: Gray Fox, Light Cahill, Adams
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: June
Description: Cream/yellow mayfly. Classic evening hatch.
Patterns: Light Cahill, Cream Variant, Yellow Sally
Hook Size: 10-12
Peak: June, September
Description: Large, dark slate-colored mayfly. Fast swimmer.
Patterns: Isonychia, Slate Drake, Dark Hendrickson
Hook Size: 20-24
Peak: August - September
Description: Tiny black and white mayfly. Early morning spinner falls.
Patterns: Trico Spinner, Black and White, Poly Wing Spinner
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: Late August
Description: White/cream mayfly. Dusk emergence, very heavy hatches.
Patterns: White Wulff, White Miller, Cream Spinner
Hook Size: 8-10
Peak: Late May - Early June
Description: Large green/yellow mayfly. Most anticipated hatch of the year.
Patterns: Green Drake, Coffin Fly, Extended Body Drake
Caddisflies
Hook Size: 14-16
Peak: Mid-April
Description: Dark gray/brown caddis. One of the first major caddis hatches.
Patterns: Grannom, Apple Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis
Hook Size: 14-16
Peak: June
Description: Cinnamon/tan colored caddis. Very common summer hatch.
Patterns: Cinnamon Caddis, Tan Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis
Hook Size: 14-16
Peak: June
Description: Bright green larva, tan adult. Free-living larva.
Patterns: Green Rockworm, LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa
Hook Size: 12-16
Peak: June - July
Description: Tan/brown caddis with spotted wings. Net-spinning larva.
Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Goddard Caddis
Hook Size: 8-10
Peak: October
Description: Large orange/brown caddis. Late season treat.
Patterns: October Caddis, Orange Stimulator, Peacock Caddis
Stoneflies
Hook Size: 16-18
Peak: February
Description: Small black stonefly. Active on warm winter days.
Patterns: Black Stonefly, Winter Stone, Black AP Nymph
Hook Size: 12-14
Peak: Late March
Description: Brown stonefly. One of the first large insects of spring.
Patterns: Brown Stone, Early Brown Nymph
Hook Size: 14-16
Peak: March
Description: Small black stonefly. Often overlooked but important.
Patterns: Black Stone, Stonefly Nymph
Hook Size: 14-16
Peak: June
Description: Bright yellow stonefly. Summer evening activity.
Patterns: Yellow Sally, Yellow Stimulator, Yellow Stone
Midges & Others
Hook Size: 18-24
Peak: Winter months, early morning year-round
Description: Tiny mosquito-like flies. Essential when nothing else is hatching.
Patterns: Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat, Mercury Midge, WD-40
Hook Size: 10-14
Peak: May - June
Description: Large, gangly fly. Larva (San Juan Worm) is important.
Patterns: Crane Fly Larva, San Juan Worm
Sources & Attribution
This hatch chart is compiled from decades of guide observations on NJ trout streams, combined with data from Matt Grobert's "A Fly Fishing Guide to New Jersey Trout Streams," East Jersey Trout Unlimited, Troutnut.com, and The Catch and The Hatch. Actual hatch timing varies by water temperature, weather, and stream conditions.