These nymphs are typical of their subgenera group, having the same robust features but supported by feeble legs. Because of the weaker legs this nymph prefers less turbulent waters that are located downstream from the riffles or in the various side-current of both rough and calmer waters. Their hatch is almost always incorrectly classified as a "Sulphur Hatch." This also explains the often-used common name of a "Sulphur Dun." The "Sulphur" activity usually occurs after the first week of May. This activity is caused by the invaria and rotunda species and not by dorothea. The E. dorothea hatches are usually later, when the invaria and rotunda activity has diminished to the point of completion.

The easily recognized differences between E.dorothea and other members of this subgeneric group are both in size and color. The E. dorothea species are smaller (by 2 hook sizes) and much lighter in color. There are several other differences such as, thoracic markings, dorsal spines and the adult dun size of at least a hook size smaller than either the invaria or the rotunda species. Another important difference is that the hatches in the afternoon are without doubt, those of the invaria and rotunda species whereas the dorothea will hatch much later, just before dusk and of course later on in the season then those of its cousins. The last and real major difference is that the dorothea species prefer the quieter and calmer waters while their cousins the invaria and rotunda species are predominantly fast-water dwellers. I should also remind you that the fast-water cousins can be flushed or drift into the quieter dorothea waters of the heads of pools and side-currents, adding to the "Sulphur Myth."

These small, yellowish mayflies will make their appearance when the early warm days of spring turn into the much warmer temperatures of late spring.

Shortly after the first series of hatches, the spinners will make their appearance above the riffles and mate in the usual generic fashion. The female will either jettison a single egg sac above the fast water or like others of her genera; dip her posterior into the water to release the egg sac.

After the mating rituals and subsequent egg-laying, the spent-spinners will fall exhausted to the waters surface. These spinners will normally be active at dusk and as the season advances the spinner falls will take place just before dark.

Tactics

Like the other Crawlers, dorothea emergers can't swim so there efforts are very clumsy because they will wiggle enticingly in an effort to reach the surface and emerge as a dun. Bottom bump your nymph pattern along the bottom or fish your emerger pattern on the surface and don't forget to add some action.

Because it is possible for the early dorothea species to hatch overlap the late invaria and rotunda hatches, you must take care and observe whether the fish are taking dorothea or the larger invaria and rotunda species. Trout are normally very selective to the size, shape and color of the dorothea imitations as these mayflies emerge in the slow waters and pools. The angler should take up the best casting position just prior to the expected fall. During the start of the fall, pick up a natural and carefully match the size, shape and color.

This mayfly is one of the largest and quite possibly most spectacular in the northeast. Its size is only surpassed by the mighty Hexagenia limbata. The hatch is considered to be one of the most thrilling of the season and many believe it to be the climax hatch of the northeast fly-fishing. Large fish that would usually be sitting on the streams bottom until dusk will often willingly rise with reckless abandon in the bright of day to grab these large tasty treats.

Like most burrowing nymphs, these nymphs avoid sun-light by being burrowed into the slower sections of soft-bottomed pools, mud banks, or pond and lake bottoms that are primarily mud or silt covered. The nymph will only leave the protection of the burrow to moult. In the faster currents of streams, these nymphs can be found in the silt, fine rich gravel and debris that accumulate between boulders and other obstructions.

Ephemera varia, a closely related species, can occupy the same areas as the guttulata and in the nymphal stage are very similar to the Green Drake. Some Ephemera nymphs can take more than one season to mature. These guttulata nymphs will go through some thirty moults before emergence takes place.

Around three days after the first emergent activity is observed, the spinners will make their appearance. Emergence usually takes place sporadically all day with a peak around 7 to 8 P.M. Fish will take the easy offerings of the awkward, struggling duns and spinners. An hour or so before dusk, the male imagoes can be observed high above the waters. They will descend lower and lower, with the sky so thick with them, it will look like a snowstorm in July.

Just before the arrival of the females, the males will be seen hovering erratically just above the waters surface, awaiting the arrival of the females.

Every now and then, some of the males will land on the waters surface to rest, causing the premature rise of smaller, unknowing fish.

At this point, I would like to mention a most peculiar trait of this mayfly. On the cloudy or overcast and sometimes rainy days, you already know that the emergence activities are different in that the activity will be much earlier in the day. This will result in the male making his appearance a few hours early. The resultant premature mating flight will exhaust the impatient male forcing him to fall the surface of the water frequently to rest. While somewhat rested, the male will attempt to get airborne but still somewhat weak will struggle to get off the water. These impatient male will even attack newly hatched females in their frustration to instinctively mate. It is not unusual to observe two or three males clumsily clasp to an uncooperative female dun. This impatience just causes the group to fall onto the waters surface providing yet another opportunity to waiting fish not to mention the anxious angler.

Once the females finally show, the nuptial flights commence, followed by the males falling to the waters surface as spent-spinners. Eggs fertilized, the female will begin to make their final descent. They will land on the surface of the water; the eggs are extruded, as the female lies semi-spent. This oviposting act is almost irresistible to waiting fish as a feeding frenzy ensues.

Tactics

Trout are very critical of the imitations offered. These are large mayflies so the imitation is also large enough for the fish to have a good look at the offering before deciding to act on its observations. Another disadvantage is that the peak spinner activity is in a short period of time and often just before darkness descents. This doesn't leave much room for error in either the cast or imitation. Remember that the female is almost twice the size of the male and fish will prefer the larger female to the smaller male. The use and tactics for both the nymph and emerger are the same as all other mayfly species. Remember that the reason the spinner is called a Coffin Fly is because the duns color changes to a Black and White after the final moult and prior to the nuptial flights take place.

  <<Back   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   Next>>