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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This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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GONZO on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 8:43 am EDT
Matt,
Others can advise you about access and conditions much better than I can. I understand that the Little J does have March Browns. They should be emerging now. As is the case on many Eastern waters, that hatch is often sparse rather than concentrated and often extends into early June. The "sulphur" that should also be emerging is invaria. On most PA trout streams that have them, the dorothea hatch typically begins later (toward the end of the month). Although I'm not at all sure that "true" dorothea occur on the J, perhaps there are some. Many of the smaller, later sulphurs that are often attributed to dorothea are continuations of the invaria hatch. In areas with extended hatches of invaria, they become smaller and somewhat lighter in color as the hatch continues. However, that taxonomic distinction makes only very slight differences from a fishing standpoint, and probably is only of interest to nitpickers (like me). :)
Others can advise you about access and conditions much better than I can. I understand that the Little J does have March Browns. They should be emerging now. As is the case on many Eastern waters, that hatch is often sparse rather than concentrated and often extends into early June. The "sulphur" that should also be emerging is invaria. On most PA trout streams that have them, the dorothea hatch typically begins later (toward the end of the month). Although I'm not at all sure that "true" dorothea occur on the J, perhaps there are some. Many of the smaller, later sulphurs that are often attributed to dorothea are continuations of the invaria hatch. In areas with extended hatches of invaria, they become smaller and somewhat lighter in color as the hatch continues. However, that taxonomic distinction makes only very slight differences from a fishing standpoint, and probably is only of interest to nitpickers (like me). :)
GONZO on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 8:51 am EDT
I suspected that would be the case--enjoy! (And report back after your visit.)
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