Mayflies

[Cabezon]

We were anchored and night fishing Thursday night and the Mayflies started hatching all around us. They were floating on the surface as far as we could see. I have been fishing Stockton for many years and have never seen that here. I thought that happened more farther north. Is that common for this area?

[Dutch]

2 hours ago, Cabezon said:

We were anchored and night fishing Thursday night and the Mayflies started hatching all around us. They were floating on the surface as far as we could see. I have been fishing Stockton for many years and have never seen that here. I thought that happened more farther north. Is that common for this area?

I don’t know what species they are but it is very common to have them by the millions like that at night.  The thickest I have seen them is at Cedar Ridge.

[waterpossum]

Yes as Dutch says they are very common. They have been hatching for the last month.

[Cabezon]

Thanks, I must have not been in the right place at the right time because that was a first for me.

 

[Dutch]

When I did a lot of night fishing down by the dam I couldn’t have a light on for more than a few seconds or they would be all over me.  Windy nights kept them away.

[olfishead]

Many years ago my family was fishing on the river (before Stockton Lake) at Hulston Mill. It was about dark and we had a campfire going, when a cloud of mayflies came down the river. They were so thick that they flew into the campfire and nearly put it out! As I remember, it was over in just a few minutes.

[Johnsfolly]

At Little Dixie lake near Columbia we would get a hatch. Not as heavy as those described here. Heavy enough to get the fish active. Was a great time to catch evening crappie on a fly or small floating rapala.