Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata
The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Oldredbarn has attached this picture. The message is below.
Oldredbarn on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 1:48 pm EDT
Getting ready for a western trip...9-10 days of fishing and this is the contents of one, yes one Wheatley box...Tan & Black caddis...
Now the real question is, why has Spence still been tying caddis?!
Somebody stop me!!! :)
If I take all the boxes I have I'll sink the drift boat!
Spence
Now the real question is, why has Spence still been tying caddis?!
Somebody stop me!!! :)
If I take all the boxes I have I'll sink the drift boat!
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Lastchance on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 2:50 pm EDT
Gees, Spence. I thought I carried a lot of flies. Well at least you won't be caught short. HA!
Oldredbarn on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 3:09 pm EDT
Well at least you won't be caught short. HA!
I blame my mentor for instilling in me an over blown match-the-hatch mentality...During the winter of 94-95 I tied all winter to prepare for a trip to Montana for two weeks in the summer of 95. I fished the Madison hard and almost could of made it a one fly contest...One hot caddis pattern did the trick.
I did catch a 23.5" Brown on a float down the Madison on a small streamer.There was another day on a Madison float where we tossed streamers as well...There were midge and PMD's on Armstrong's and DePuy's...and I remember seeing one flav and a Yellow Sally stone...:)
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Millcreek on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 5:23 pm EDT
Spence - Bless your little heart, I have to admire your tenacity and industriousness but I think you're a walking example of "One's too many and a thousand aren't enough.":)
On the plus side you should be ready for just about any eventuality as long as it involves caddisflies.
Mark
On the plus side you should be ready for just about any eventuality as long as it involves caddisflies.
Mark
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
-Albert Einstein
Jmd123 on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 7:02 pm EDT
Spence, I've seen less flies than that in a hatch that brought up serious feeding...you are a maniac, and sorry, this minimalist can't help you...
;oD
Jonathon
;oD
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Oldredbarn on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 7:06 pm EDT
Spence, I've seen less flies than that in a hatch that brought up serious feeding...you are a maniac, and sorry, this minimalist can't help you...
;oD
Jonathon
You could remember me in your prayers this evening...
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Crepuscular on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 7:33 pm EDT
Keep tying those colors don't look quite right. ;)
Jmd123 on Jul 21, 2014July 21st, 2014, 7:39 pm EDT
"Dear Lord, please protect Spence from severe and chronic neck and back pain, he knows not what he does..."
Amen.
Jonathon
P.S. Damned Royal Wulff did the trick again tonight...see my post!
Amen.
Jonathon
P.S. Damned Royal Wulff did the trick again tonight...see my post!
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Feathers5
Posts: 287
Posts: 287
Feathers5 on Jul 22, 2014July 22nd, 2014, 5:27 am EDT
Hey Spence, I tied an entire box of flies for my trip out to Yellowstone several years ago. All I needed that week was a hopper. Those fish out there are trained to rise to anything. Have a great time.
Falsifly on Jul 22, 2014July 22nd, 2014, 5:41 am EDT
Now the real question is, why has Spence still been tying caddis?!
Keep tying those caddis Spence, abundance is always good when chumming.
Falsifly
When asked what I just caught that monster on I showed him. He put on his magnifiers and said, "I can't believe they can see that."
When asked what I just caught that monster on I showed him. He put on his magnifiers and said, "I can't believe they can see that."
Kschaefer3 on Jul 22, 2014July 22nd, 2014, 8:42 am EDT
Nothing wrong with being prepared! I just wish I could tie a fishable dry. I think my trip to MT would have been considerably less expensive...
Oldredbarn on Jul 22, 2014July 22nd, 2014, 1:42 pm EDT
Keep tying those caddis Spence, abundance is always good when chumming.
Allan...What a great idea! I have so many flies I can take one each from every compartment in the box, toss them on the water, and see which one they really want...Hmmm...:)
Thanks Jonathon, but somehow I don't feel your hearts in to it...;)
Eric...You're so helpful bud! :) Between you egging me on and what may be color-blindness I'm going to go bonkers!
Kyle...Don't say anything to anyone, but you should see my streamer box...boxes. :) My secret fly, "This Dutchman Loves Blonds" is going to put me over the top! My biggest Madison Brown was 23.5"...Can I get a "two-footer" this time out?
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Oldredbarn on Jul 22, 2014July 22nd, 2014, 1:42 pm EDT
Hey! I could of tied 20 more dozen just in the time it took me to post that last one...:)
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Kschaefer3 on Jul 23, 2014July 23rd, 2014, 5:59 am EDT
Kyle...Don't say anything to anyone, but you should see my streamer box...boxes. :) My secret fly, "This Dutchman Loves Blonds" is going to put me over the top! My biggest Madison Brown was 23.5"...Can I get a "two-footer" this time out?
Streamers!?!?! I'll pretend I didn't read that. :)
Good luck with the two footer! A fish of that stature is pretty hard to come by, even on a river like the Madison.
Crepuscular on Jul 23, 2014July 23rd, 2014, 10:52 am EDT
Hey! I could of tied 20 more dozen just in the time it took me to post that last one...:)
Get off the internet, who said you could stop tying?
Oldredbarn on Jul 24, 2014July 24th, 2014, 8:17 pm EDT
:)
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Oldredbarn on Jul 24, 2014July 24th, 2014, 8:25 pm EDT
I have a plastic carrying case with fly box like drawers in it that I purchased from JoAnns. Gonzo had given me a roadmap to a lighter vest. Some really good suggestions a few years back. I was going to organize and carry fewer flies in a box, but more variety. If I used a couple and wore them out or lost them I'd be able to restock the depleted slots in my vest boxes at night back in the room.
I found it the other night in the fly tying closet. I pulled out one of the trays to find it stuffed with flies. On the lid it said "Hydropsyche & Brachycentrus."
Hmmm...Another several dozen caddis. I hope there's some caddis action out west this time out! ;)
Spence
I found it the other night in the fly tying closet. I pulled out one of the trays to find it stuffed with flies. On the lid it said "Hydropsyche & Brachycentrus."
Hmmm...Another several dozen caddis. I hope there's some caddis action out west this time out! ;)
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
TNEAL on Jul 25, 2014July 25th, 2014, 5:35 am EDT
Sell some for gas money. Looks like you'll have plenty left over to fish with.
Lastchance on Jul 26, 2014July 26th, 2014, 6:45 am EDT
I have a plastic carrying case with fly box like drawers in it that I purchased from JoAnns. Gonzo had given me a roadmap to a lighter vest. Some really good suggestions a few years back. I was going to organize and carry fewer flies in a box, but more variety. If I used a couple and wore them out or lost them I'd be able to restock the depleted slots in my vest boxes at night back in the room.
I found it the other night in the fly tying closet. I pulled out one of the trays to find it stuffed with flies. On the lid it said "Hydropsyche & Brachycentrus."
Hmmm...Another several dozen caddis. I hope there's some caddis action out west this time out! ;)
Spence
Can I place an order? Don't make me drive up there and knock some sense into you, buddy. Geez. Stop tying? Start fishing!
Oldredbarn on Jul 27, 2014July 27th, 2014, 8:53 am EDT
Thanks to both of you, Bruce, and Tim...I get the message loud and clear! :)
Be on the river soon! :)
Spence
Bruce...You know no one gets to peek in the "real" fly-boxes unless they are fishing with this Dutchman! :) Then I may knot some of them on for you...With a really strong knot because of all the big fish you catch and you are hard on your leaders since you tend to fall in on occasion! ;) Those rocks on the Little J and Spring Creek can stretch a leader beyond its limit!
Speaking of falling in...I think I'm convinced that you are actually a river otter...I have never seen anyone take a dunk and bounce up with a smile on his face like I've seen you do!
Get after them brother...It will be snowing again here soon...Oh! That's right, you and Eric fish in all weather. I nearly forgot the Santa Claus Trout caught near the north pole.
Be on the river soon! :)
Spence
Bruce...You know no one gets to peek in the "real" fly-boxes unless they are fishing with this Dutchman! :) Then I may knot some of them on for you...With a really strong knot because of all the big fish you catch and you are hard on your leaders since you tend to fall in on occasion! ;) Those rocks on the Little J and Spring Creek can stretch a leader beyond its limit!
Speaking of falling in...I think I'm convinced that you are actually a river otter...I have never seen anyone take a dunk and bounce up with a smile on his face like I've seen you do!
Get after them brother...It will be snowing again here soon...Oh! That's right, you and Eric fish in all weather. I nearly forgot the Santa Claus Trout caught near the north pole.
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
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