"The last thing you change is your fly" The great Lee Wulff
One cannot go to a river like the EB or the Millers during late August to early October and not see them. Large, long, dark forms clinging to stream side stones will greet the angler during his early morning fishing. This is the exoskeleton of the of the Isonychia nymph, one of the largest mayflies around and an insect that emergers all Summer long but especially in the late Summer and Fall.
This mayfly takes it's cue from the stonefly when it comes to hatching and that is the habit of crawling or swimming to shore and then climbing a rock to hatch leaving the shell behind. This act is usually done under the cover of darkness (they would be easy pickings for shore birds if they hatched during bankers hours) although I've seen them at dusk on cloudy days. Needless to say, the nymph is what's important to us instead of the dun.
These are the fastest swimmers in the mayfly family and seem to like to dart around especially at hatch time. Thomas Ames, Jr., in his book Hatch Guide for New England has a number of nymph presentations but I have found that a possum nymph colored black with a sharpie captures form and color. All you have to do is present it correctly. This swimmer doesn't get lost in the drift but swims and darts around. Make it dart around! This nymph is bigger than the Hendrickson. This bug is also a good indicator or clean, well-oxygenated water. Keep a supply ready this Fall.
This weekend - Let's hope for a little rain to freshen up our freestones. The EB has been great this week and I've heard good reports about the Millers and not from the usual places like Orcutt. Seems like the "regulars" are spreading out and that's a very good thing!!
Ken
6 comments:
Ken,
So that's what they are. I've seen them before but thought it was a stonefly.
GW
Ken,
Thank you once again for continuing to educate everyone who enjoys reading all the information you have provided over the years from you Millers River guide to your routine blog updates. I find myself frequently going back to both as I did earlier this week prior to getting ready to hit the upper trestle pool. I hadn't fished it in over a year and couldn't remember exactly how to access the middle without taking a swim in the process. I managed to find that special perch, mid pool and had a blast watching 4 browns annihilate a Chernobyl ant - so fun! Also had lots of success swinging soft hackles in sections downstream from there, but the main point is that you are THE MAN! Keep on writing and teaching us because you can't imagine how many secret admirers you have! ......and now that you're free mid week, I am hoping to find a day to play hooky with you on the EB before it gets too late.
Thank you,
Paul
On the water at 6:30 am humid but cool fooled 2 brookies 6 bows on the EB, water is getting low and slow we do need rain. Used # 16 hi float attractor and #16 partridge & orange. Had the place to myself.
Gary,
I had a 20+ fish day Tuesday but only 3 rises on Thursday and none in the net. Yup, low water makes them finicky. YOU know what your doing!!
Paul,
REALLY GOOD!! You must have found that rocky perch in mid pool that I found 30 years ago which puts you in the best position.
I thank you for the good words and that you find some benefit to this blog!!
Ken
Ken,
Had the Millers all to myself today! Fished from 10am-3pm caught a bunch of browns all on dries!!!! Was fishing a big pool that some guy showed me, and I think he wrote guide on the place too! About a 1/2 hour before I left caught a big smallie on a bugger, was screwing around and thought I was stuck on something, boy those fish a strong!
Phil
Phil,
Glad you did well!!!!!
Ken
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