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.

My then-girlfriend, now-wife took this picture with my camera.

From Toughannock Creek in New York

Stream photos

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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.

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Michigan Slate Wing Mahogany or Blue Quill

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Nov 11, 2018November 11th, 2018, 8:58 am EST

One of the early hatches in MI is the Slate Wing Mahogany. The dry fly versions of this are, confusingly, called Mahogany Dun and Blue Quill - Two completely different colors. (1) Does anyone know why ? (2) Does anyone know the fly patternrecipename for this fly in Mi - I want to tie it ?
Thanks !! Brian314

Roguerat

Posts: 456

Roguerat on Nov 11, 2018November 11th, 2018, 11:27 pm EST

Brian,

Welcome to another Michigander on the forum! You're up there in NW Kent Co, apparently...and a short trip to the Rogue or Muskegon.

Blue Quill refers to wing color (a dark grey/dun) and Little Mahogany (reddish, dark brown) refers to body coloration. Both are local names for Paraleptophebia spp. and a good earlier hatch for your local waters...Google these names and a bunch of patterns will turn up, and past experience shows sz 16 nymph and dry flies work best for me.

The Slate Wing Mahogany is another fly altogether- Isonychia spp. (sz's 10-12 with some smaller exceptions later in the season) which should appear in late June through August dependent on temps and other variables. This is a heavy and fairly dependable hatch on the Muskegon.

(asking forgiveness if you already know the above info, I'm often too willing to share stuff).

See you on the stream next spring...I'll be the whiskered old fart flogging the water with a trout spey-rod,

tight lines!

Roguerat

'Less is more...'

Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe

Roguerat

Posts: 456

Roguerat on Nov 12, 2018November 12th, 2018, 5:37 am EST

My mistake in noting the Slate Wing Mahogany as an Iso, it IS another name for Paraleptophlebia spp.(thanks to the insect ID section of this forum and Dr Jason)

Isonychia spp. are known as a Slate Drakes or Mahogany Drakes, per Ann Miller's excellent 'Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams', another valuable resource for tyers and fly-fishers alike.

Roguerat

"Less is more...'

Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Nov 23, 2018November 23rd, 2018, 9:23 pm EST

Thanks so much for taking the time clearing that up for me Roguerat !
RE Ann Miller's book - it is on my xmas list - if I don't get it at xmas, I'll just order it and give MYSELF a present...LOL !!!! Brian314