The Quill Gordon is one of the seasons first large mayflies to hatch in Eastern and Mid-western trout streams. It prefers moderate to fast water and is mostly found in freestone streams. These mayflies emerge between the bottom and the surface. That is why we recommend the Emerging Adult wet fly. Many, if not most, Quill Gordons are eaten by trout as emergers when they are emerging below the surface than are eaten on the surface as duns. The trout know the duns will soon escape, whereas the emergers are much easier to acquire. Quill Gordons hatch when the water is about 50 degrees F., and that is rather borderline and almost too cool for trout to feed on the surface.