Night Fishing at Blackshear... MAYFLIES !!

[BlackshearGal1]

Fished the dock lights at Blackshear late last night. Not much of a crappie bite (couldn't figure them out ) but did catch some catfish in shallow water - two of them were really nice fish! (Channel cats) We were just about to head in, when out of nowhere we were surrounded by a swarm of mayflies! and the fish followed! Fish were tearing up the flies as they hit the water. We weren't quite sure how to go about catching them, but after some trial-and-error (that we won't divulge!!) we ended up fishing with cane poles, smaller hooks, and the mayflies threaded onto the hook. It was about two hours before sun-up when they hit, and we caught lots of nice brim with that set-up. just letting the mayfly float on the water, or slowly sink. It was so much fun!! For about an hour and 40 minutes the flies swarmed the dock light and the fish were "popping" all around us!! Great fun!! Even caught a few pretty big stripers, which was a blast on those cane poles!! ....... After sun-up, the bite died out and we moved on.. But we've been talking about it ever since!! LOL

Do any of you know how long the mayflies might be around? Does this mean there will be more around throughout the week? Any methods to find the flies, or is it just Lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time?

[RIVER HAWK]

Now I am giving you advise on the Mayflies on Sinclair because I have never fished Blackshear. The Mayflies life span is quick, just a few days to hatch, breed and die. On Sinclair I get multiple hatches per year during the entire summer. I have seen them hatch up until the end of August. Natures fish bait is amazing. They cannot stay away from a light and the fish will feed until they are glutted on them. GOOD LUCK and ENJOY!

[thespiderman]

As far as finding the flies, at Oconee I can find them on branches overhanging the water. They seem to be around for about a month, then I don't see them until next year.

[CharlieL]

when I was last up on Lake Erie, the mayflies covered EVERYTHING, folks were happy because that was a good sign that the lake was healthy. Keep fishing the hatch and you will do well. ( it was hard on my car wash tho, LOL)

[deathb4disco]

I also saw these at Sinclair, so I asked a fly fishing buddy of mine what they were. He said they were Hexagenia:

Hexagenia Mayflies, Stillwater Fly Fishing Super Hatch

For the most fun, fish an imitation on a light fly rod.