Mayflies???

[OhioVike]

I am wondering if anyone is seeing evidence of the big Mayfly hatch or has any projections?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

No sign of a big mayfly hatch coming yet.

Seeing a few of the small mayflies popping to the surface but none of the big guys yet.

Probably see the big hatch starting around the last week of June!

Cliff

[FishinCT]

Agreed. They are just starting on the south side of Lake Erie so you guys have to be a few weeks behind 

[Darrell Larson]

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 7:46 PM, Cliff Wagenbach said:

No sign of a big mayfly hatch coming yet.

Seeing a few of the small mayflies popping to the surface but none of the big guys yet.

Probably see the big hatch starting around the last week of June!

Cliff

We had a large hatch on Pike Bay, north side of garage door looks like it has sprouted wings. Walked over to neighbors by land and was attacked by hundreds hiding in the long grass. They don't bother me just annoying.

[gimruis]

These bug hatches are annoying but they are a direct indication that the body of water is generally in pretty good shape because they can't hatch in polluted water.  They need relatively clean, well oxygenated water to hatch.  If they haven't started already, I'm sure the first wave is coming real soon.

[jwilli7122]

On birch point last week I saw a lot of midges, but no mayflies.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Lots of May Fly  floating on Pike Bay this morning!

Nothing in Big Bay yet.

Cliff

[toddrun]

Ha, figures!!!  Right before I pack up and head North to the Big V, the bugs have to hatch!?!?!

[Cliff Wagenbach]

There can be a couple of great days of fishing if you hit the beginning days of the hatch!  After the walleyes have gorged themselves for a few days the fishing can get tough though!

Cliff

[cherokee]

Cliff thanks for the updates.  Do you think the hatch will be done by next weekend? 

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Cherokee,

The main hatch will probably be just starting or peaking on Big Bay by next weekend.

Cliff

[delcecchi]

Need to change their name to "juneflys" 

[Bigfatbert]

Was in Big Bay once again today and saw a few more Mayfly today than Tuesday . I agree things are just kinda getting going with the hatch , and also believe that these bugs will last until well after the 4th of July . With that being said , I also believe that fishing should hold up for awhile until the fish become so gorged out that things could come to a screeching halt later into this whole bug period . 

[cherokee]

Thanks - at least I know what to expect :) for the week of the 4th.

 

[TomWehler]

Mmmmmmm~~~~ here's one for ya!

For years we have been trying to get our fave Mayfly Rafts & Spikes into a booth at The State Fair.

Rafts = ~~~  Honey Waffle coated with Dark Chocolate Glaze n Peanut Butter then sprinkled with Frozen Real Maple Syrup dipped Mayflys. 

To die for.

Spikes  =  ~~~ Deep Fried Triple Thick Cut of F&D Smoked Bacon dipped into Smoked flavored Pancake Batter an dipped in Maple Syrup then rolled in pile of frozen Hickory smoked MayFlys.

Both Killer Pak~ons seved on a stick or in a Deep Fried Walleye Belly Fillet.

Power good experience that takes you places you never been before'!!

: )

 

Keep on rocken!

 

T

 

 

 

[schmitty3]

Any sign of the big hatch yet?  Heading up next weekend, hoping we don't hit the tail end of it...

[Tominator692]

No big hatches on Big Bay yet. Guessing next week.

 

[delcecchi]

Nothing significant here on west end....yet.

[bassbouncer]

Last Sunday my place was thick with them. Been thinning out since then

[delcecchi]

I just got here a couple days ago.   So the end not the beginning of the mayflies?  That would be good news.

[TomWehler]

Hey ya.

Between working on island projects n pontoon motor I did fish four hours each time out last 4 Sat, 4 Sun,  8 Mon & 4 Tue morn.

Old pattern is to find thickest area where Mayfly Midge larva are popping out of mud.

Evening Bugs lead ya right to them. Found a stretch 100 yards wide x  300 long 3.5 miles from my place by boat, minute by eagle fly.

Can hardly see fish on graph as tight to bottom of 8 to 16 feet water an roaming, gulp, gulp, gulp......gulp gulp, gulp...

I'm a jig guy so I drag a selection of styles small jigs on bottom, three different colors, six LB test, Old 5' cherry wood rod, mini spin reel, half crawler or whole red worm. Total fun catching them on this rig.

Also use a split shot n hook of different colors I paint up in winter....Zip Zap GO.

Only one crew by me, they using lindys an dragging faster than I an did just as good. They are good ol boys I see each yer an used to guide muskie fish trips for them. Crawlers, leeches n crappie minnows were their choice of stash munchies. Good time.

All other boats we saw in that time period on way past us at 40 MPH to some place else my guess deep waters.

Nothing fancy here, lift drop, drag, lift pop, drag, drag, drag....all mud nothing to get stuff in.

Boated 68 walleyes in my times out....released all. ALL of them full of midges an some just spitting LIVE one on me, the boat seats an floor. Mini Horror Movie in making I think. To fun.

Creepy lil suckers but them wallys love em.

Mix of sizes from 8" to bout 19" I guess. Lost five or so fattys lifting into Big Black Moe Ride not using net.  I want my jigs back....     

Muskie fish with Bonnie a bit at Monday an tossing ol topwater I painted blue popped a four footer right in front of Bay View lodge docks east by sand.     To fun.  Brought out a big ol girl for a look twice on Sunday. She lives under the Isle Pine bridge an been there a long time. She comes out, nip nip nip yawn and a wink an back she goes.  Pretty ol girl...very large an slow, beauty of a fish. We pals.   

So quiet family of loons swim around my boat an ol guys boat an last time brought out the baby for a few lessons an a ride on the back.  To beautiful, fun.

Fun time, rest my brain, my back, my broken up fun full life living bones.

Came home Musky Acres here as I think I am getting NEW 1 year old Goldy pal tonight at FIVE.   

I'm so excited an a bit emotional to get a NEW Goldy pal. Start The Mallard Island Marauders II.

Coolimoolio!!!

Add couple goldy pups in fall if all goes well tonight...…..HECK YEAH!!!

Find the bugs, find the fishes, the eating fishes.  

Mmmmmm Wheat bread, peanut butter and a few live midges. Oh yeah!

 

Have a fun 4th weekend.  Think 1st, be safe, have success, enjoy it ALL!

 

Keep on rocken!

 

Tommy

 

PS.   Phone cam so not best pic's but fun. Beetle spin in midge pic truly is a fun way to bag all the smallies ya want, all sizes an pike n wallys tooooo.  Simple cheap fun. Switch jig head weights n colors, have at it.  Fun junk ya do.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 28, 2018 by TomWehler

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Thanks Tommy!

Great pictures!

Glad that you found a new pal!!

Cliff

Lots of May Flies floating in Big Bay today!

Still a good walleye bite though. Boated 22 and kept 9 nice fish this morning.

Cliff