Size 16-18 olives.

[Andre]

I have been hitting these bugs on a spring creek in Pa for the last 3 weeks with fish coming up to them every day including today. Last year the same thing. What I don't understand is when people talk about February hatches they mention black stoneflies but I never hear anyone talking about these olives. Am I just not hearing about them or is there really very little mention of them. My guess is they are Vegans. andre

 

[NJFred]

Andre... I would guess they are Vagans as well. Although interestingly, I just looked in my trusty Hatches II and Al says they hatch around March 24th in the very spring creeks you frequent and are the first Mayflys to get going. Seems a bit early but ... then again I never (and I know you don't) argue with rising fish and cooperative bugs!

 

[RedTag2000]

This maybe off topic a little, but since You mentioned Hatches II; I was actually able to get a copy recently; I was under impression that it was out of print; I think they printed it again, late in 2004 sometime (I dont have it with me so I cannot give exact month) So for those of You who are looking to get a copy (like I was), they should be available now...

 

[JOE.T]

Andre

Yes they are Vagans,(I know because I have fished the creeks you do in the winter)unless they changed the "latin" name again.You typically dont see them in february except in spring creeks and limestoners.

The vagans typically come off in March or even April in the Catskills.

The reason you see them so early on the Spring creeks is water temps.The spring creeks have warmer water than a freestoner in the winter,and because of that they can feed and grow all year as opposed to there cousins in the freestoners.When the water gets to cold 33-35 degrees mayflies dont feed or grow much if at all.The spring creeks are usualy warmer than that 38-43?There are all also up to three broods of most Baetis species.

 

[jmoore]

Or on the online catalog on the DRC's website.

http://www.mayfly.com/scripts/drcnewdesign.cgi//w8

 

[Andre]

Joe, thanks and Fred your right. I have never met a rising fish I didn't like. I still wonder why local fisherman don't talk about them. Maybe ijust answered my own question and I shouldn't be talking about them.

 

[serotonin]

Joe-
What is your experience w/the early stoneflies Andre mentioned...?

-Steve.

 

[JOE.T]

I have had surface action with the small stones in February when it was warm.But in most cases that action is in March or even close to April in the catskills,again all depends on temps.

Size 18/20 than the larger ones 14's show up after.For the 18/20 I use a charcoal body with a dark wing; tie just like a caddis pattern,Tie some with hackle so you will be able to skitter them when needed.There are times when the fish will key in on the "frantic movement" on the surface,and skittering the pattern will be key.

I tie the larger ones the same way but with a brown body.

I have found that when the water temps get up around 40 the fish are on em.Usually the action is sporadic and in the larger rivers with high water in the spring you will usually find fish eating them in the tailouts or tight to the bank.

 

[Backcountry]

Lehigh Valley spring creeks

I've been seeing the BWOs on the Lehigh Valley PA spring creeks as well. Definitely closer to 20's than 18's where I've been, and going smaller in lighter (6x, 7x) have been the ticket for me. Had quite a bit of takes the other day using small blue quill parachutes in the typical holding areas. On slower water/pools, I would go to a quill body that seemed to do the trick.

Looking in the film, I would see what looked like spent spinners and also nymph shucks/casings (right word?) as well.

Challenging fishing primarily due to the need for delicate, stealthy presentations, but I love fishing to rising fish in the colder months.

-Jason