For most young people starting out, directions to fish with a flyline may be too advanced. However, they are included for those that may have the resources, knowledge and experience to actually go out, fly cast and fish with proper fly fishing gear.

Mayfly nymphs, as with most other aquatic trout food, live in the shoal/drop-off areas on or near the bottom. Compared to other insects, mayfly nymphs are decent swimmers. However, they are insects which makes their movements still appear very slow to us.

To fish a mayfly nymph imitation, first go to the shoal/drop-off area. Cast out your sinking line and allow it to sink to near the bottom. Then retrieve your line very slowly but include regular pauses. Keep the fly near the bottom.

During the early summer months, lakes experience frequent mayfly hatches. You then want to imitate the nymph swimming to the surface. Cast out your line, let the fly sink to near the bottom. Then retrieve the fly as described before but work it right up to the surface. Also at these hatch times the nymphs are present all through the water column. Just casting out and retrieving the fly and not worrying about getting it to the bottom may also be a successful approach.