By GEORGE LISET, Writing on the Fly
Little did I know that as I went further down the fly fishing rabbit hole that I would become an amateur entomologist, or in layman’s terms, a bug guy. I would learn about the life cycle of bugs, the kind of bugs, their Latin names and the time of year they could be found. This was important because a great percentage of what a trout eats is bugs. I’m always interested in learning about bugs, especially if it will help me to catch fish.
On our last trip to Pittsburg, New Hampshire, last June to celebrate Father’s Day, my son gave me a signed book by Leighton Wass titled “Fly Fishing the Hex Hatch.” The Hexagenia Limbata, is the Latin name for a large Mayfly. Mayflies usually hatch from mid-June to mid-July in the New England area. For a fly fisherman, being on the water with a fly rod in your hand when the hatch occurs, is simply Nirvana.
I remember driving through northern Wisconsin on a dark highway when I came upon a gas station. As I pulled in I noticed giant Mayflies everywhere. The pumps and the lights were covered as were just about every surface outside the station. It could have been a scene in a horror movie. I asked the station attendant about it and he informed me that it had been like this for two weeks and probably would continue for a couple of more. Apparently there was a lake behind the station and the Mayflies were attracted to the light.
When we fish Pittsburg in June there is usually a Hex hatch happening on Back Lake. Around evening time the canoes, boats and float tubes start populating the lake waiting for the hatch. So in the interest of getting more info on fishing the Hex hatch I began reading Leighton’s book. Between all the information and anecdotes, I couldn’t put the book down. Leighton was raised in Southwest Harbor, Maine and settled in Adamant, Vermont where he was a former educator, and it shows in his writing style. “Fly Fishing the Hex Hatch” is an easy read and truly informational. Leighton has fished extensively throughout New England chasing Hex hatches and Leighton shares a number of his experiences which are entertaining.
Leighton lists bodies of water throughout New England that have Hex hatches. The book is filled with pictures and illustrations which add to the book’s content. Leighton shares some insights about how weather and water temperature affect the hatches and what flies and sizes to use. Leighton shares a number of tips for fishing the Hex hatch that can save an angler a lot of aggravation, time and money.
The late John Gierach in his book “Sex, Death and Fly-Fishing,” which is a tip of the hat to the Mayfly, says “ Mayflies and fly fishing have always been inseparably connected (They are our favorite bug, after all), and that may be one reason why the sport is still seen as contemplative, even now with all the scientific and technical hoopla.” Fly Fishing the Hex Hatch just adds to the ethereal quality of fly fishing. This book is a must for every dry fly angler. Enjoy!