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.
These are huge mayflies. Hexagenia limbata, by far the most important species, is the second largest mayfly in the United States. The largest is its close relative, Litobrancha recurvata, which until recently was also in the genus Hexagenia.
Curtis on Feb 29, 2008February 29th, 2008, 10:05 am EST
Does anyone have any hatch dates for hexagenia orlando in the Central Florida area? Several lakes near me have populations and I am gathering data. I have photos and one hatch record.
Taxon on Feb 29, 2008February 29th, 2008, 4:33 pm EST
Curtis-
The Mayflies of Florida by Lewis Berner and Manuel L. Pescador contains seven pages discussing Hexagenia orlando. Although this species is known to emerge in Florida from March to December, peak emergences are said to be in July and August. Also mentioned are the tendency of brooding in this species, with 7 to 10 days between broods during the peak emergence period with little emergence activity in between, and that the subimagoes emerge during the night and very early morning.
To me, this sounds like a very difficult emergence to hit just right, but sure hope you will share your attempts with us.
Curtis on Feb 28, 2011February 28th, 2011, 9:35 am EST
Roger:
Since this original post I have recorded some more observations. I have a spreadsheet that I can up load to you, if you wish. You can e-mail me at: cduffield@greenwayelecsvc.com.
One of the fly fishing magazines had an article on warmwater fly fishing destinations near Orlando a few years ago - don't remember which one. The idea was places to go while you and your family are visiting Disneyland. Hmmmmm, bass & big sunfish on a Hex hatch...sign me up! Sounds especially good during early March in Michigan! Those redbreast sunnies put up a good fight on the long rod - I caught lots of them while living in Georgia and Texas. Can't even imagine what a Florida bluegill feels like - "freshwater permit"!
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...