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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
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.

27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Mar 23, 2018March 23rd, 2018, 5:22 am EDT
Hi all. The midge emergences are now on in my local warmwater ponds. These are the large Chironomids (~#18/16).

Any idea whether such critters emerge at certain times of the day? Pupae in the morning? Egg-layers... ? I saw a mating swarm late morning yesterday, under mostly cloudy skies.

Any ideas on emergence timing for larger Chironomids?
Troutnut
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Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Mar 23, 2018March 23rd, 2018, 6:33 am EDT
I have no idea about midges specifically, but a very rough rule of thumb for this early in the season is that cold-blooded things tend to be the most active, including for emergence, at the warmest time of day.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Adirman
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Monticello, NY

Posts: 479
Adirman on Mar 29, 2018March 29th, 2018, 4:44 am EDT
Early season trout fishing is ideal for the late risers for sure cuz best action is middle of the day, in contrast to the entire rest of the season 😁😁
Jmd123
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Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Mar 29, 2018March 29th, 2018, 4:56 am EDT
Actually, early summer, when I don't even bother fishing before 8 p.m., REALLY lets me sleep in late! ;oD

But yes, around these parts the Hendricksons and any early caddis seem to come off in the early afternoon - essentially the warmest part of the day. This IS nice as Adirman says, you are fishing in daylight! Of course, later in summer during hopper season the warmer sunnier days are better, and I will start in the afternoon with hopper imitations and end at dusk with caddis...

I would guess midges would come off in the afternoon early in the season.

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Adirman
Adirman's profile picture
Monticello, NY

Posts: 479
Adirman on Mar 29, 2018March 29th, 2018, 6:30 am EDT
Reading your post gets the juices flowing for some good evening dry fly fishing action!! 😊
PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Mar 29, 2018March 29th, 2018, 10:31 am EDT
Thanks, all.

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