Sulphur
Also called Sulfur, Sulphur hatch, Sulfur hatch, Ephemerella sulphur
“Sulphur” is a common hatch label for small yellow mayflies, most often in the genus Ephemerella. Anglers use it to match pale yellow duns and their evening spinner falls on many trout rivers.
- Group
- Mayfly hatches
- Category
- Entomology & forage
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Freshwater
Last updated
What Sulphur means
Look for a light yellow mayfly riding the surface in late afternoon into evening, especially on slower runs and tailouts. In many Eastern and Midwest trout fisheries, anglers call that a “sulphur,” even though several similar species can be involved.
Most sulphur talk centers on two stages. The dun hatch brings pale yellow adults that sit low in the film. Later, the spinner fall can stack fish up in specific lanes, with spent adults lying flat on the surface. Nymphs are typically small and clinger/crawler types, so drifted nymphs and emergers get attention before the first duns show.
Why it matters on the water
“Sulphur” is a reminder to match color and posture, not just a name. A pale yellow parachute may get looks, but a low-riding comparadun or a cripple often fits what trout are actually taking during the hatch.
It also points to timing. Many sulphur events build toward evening, and the spinner fall can be the most selective window. Having a plan for duns, emergers, and spinners keeps the day from turning into random fly changes.
Read next
- Blue-winged olive“Blue-winged olive” (BWO) is the common fly-fishing name for several small mayflies in the Baetis group. Anglers use it to describe the hatch and the flies used to match it.
- CrippleA cripple is an adult insect imitation tied to look stuck mid-hatch, with a shuck, splayed wing, or a low-riding body that can’t fully take off.
- Pale morning dunA “Pale Morning Dun” (PMD) is a common mayfly hatch made up of small, pale yellow mayflies. Anglers use PMD nymph, emerger, dun, and spinner patterns to match it.
- SpinnerA spinner is a dry fly that imitates an adult mayfly after it has mated and fallen spent on the water, usually with wings laid flat to the sides.
More in Mayfly hatches
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