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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Report at a Glance
| General Region | Northeast Idaho and southern Montana |
| Specific Location | Henry's Fork & Madison River |
| Dates Fished | July 15 thru July 20th, 2007 |
| Time of Day | Mornings, afternoons and evenings |
| Fish Caught | Rainbow trout |
| Conditions & Hatches | Hot, hot and very dry!!! Water flow was up around 1500 CFS so the fishing was tough in some areas. PMDs, Flavs, Spotted Sedge and some Callibaetis |
Details and Discussion
Wiflyfisher on Jul 24, 2007July 24th, 2007, 3:44 pm EDT
Big trout and little flies.... sporadic hatching and knowing where to fish really helps find the big fish. Figuring out which fly and what stage the big bows were feeding on was a real (and fun) challenge. At times surrounded by rising trout and other times nothing moving.
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
GONZO on Jul 24, 2007July 24th, 2007, 3:55 pm EDT
John, despite the heat, I can tell you're having a great time on the Fork (and elsewhere). Of course, that was a given wasn't it? Give 'em hell, pal! Make us jealous! :)
Wiflyfisher on Jul 24, 2007July 24th, 2007, 4:09 pm EDT
Lloyd, I stood on the bank and watched a big #$%^&@! trout (around 25") sliding in and out 15 feet from shore sipping something in that appeared invisible to the human eye. Sometimes the fish would open it's mouth underneath the water and suck something in and other times it would slowly tips it's nose to the surface and quietly slurp something in. (This was all while the winds were blowing too!)
Needless to say, I worked that fish for close to an hour, got him to look at a couple of emergers and pheasant tail nymphs but in the end nada! It was "extremely tough" with the blowing wind to present the fly in a real natural manner (without any drag) and in his tight feeding lane. But it was still awesome to watch!!!
Needless to say, I worked that fish for close to an hour, got him to look at a couple of emergers and pheasant tail nymphs but in the end nada! It was "extremely tough" with the blowing wind to present the fly in a real natural manner (without any drag) and in his tight feeding lane. But it was still awesome to watch!!!
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Martinlf on Jul 24, 2007July 24th, 2007, 4:31 pm EDT
John, I worked a small brown today on the Little Lehigh under similar conditions, wind, tight feeding lane, tough lie for a drift. I never got a fly to him that he would take either. I'm pleased to have had the challenge, though, and hope to work out a solution that in similar conditions will get a rise in the future. It's these fish that really get us determined. I'm sure you are catching some nice fish, though, and having fun. Stick one for us!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
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