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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Zugbuggin on Aug 20, 2010August 20th, 2010, 11:07 am EDT
Now that the temps are hi I've put up my fly rod and I'm spending time refilling my fly boxes getting ready for the Fall & Winter fishing. Last January & Febuary I spend time on the Chattogga River. At times saw spradic hatches of Early Black Stoneflys in sizes 16 & 18, there was very little surface activity so I went to the nymph. The closet thing I had was a Pheasant Tail #16 tied from dyed black pheasant tail with a copper rib which I did ok with. Does anybody have a pattern for a Early Black Stonefly nymph in a size #16 or #18
GONZO on Aug 20, 2010August 20th, 2010, 11:51 am EDT
Just a thought, Tony: The little black stoneflies that you see in Jan. and Feb. are probably Capniidae. Despite the impression given by some tying books, the nymphs are usually more of a reddish brown or yellowish brown rather than black. A standard PT would make a pretty good imitation.
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