Mayfly hatch on my home lake!

Took one of my boys out fishing today. We stopped at my home lake, Lake Sahoma, and proceeded to harrass the over-populated, stunted, Crappie that infest that lake. I quickly noticed that there was a Mayfly hatch going on. There were some big yellow mayflies around.

Are these "Yellow Sulfurs"?

http://imageshack.us/a/img593/9196/dgai.jpg

I'm thinking they're about a size 8?

I know that there were LOTS of Bluegill stalking the emergers. I saw a whole bunch of 'gills swimming around. I'll have to go out there soon (like later today) with fly rod in hand and try to catch some!

Can anyone recommend a good pattern for these?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllenOK

Are these "Yellow Sulfurs"?

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No. Probably some species of Potamanthus.

Hi Allan,

Given the color and size, my guess is that they are the Hexagenia Limbata. Sulfurs are pretty small mayflies. Bob may be right though, I don't know. I do know that hexs are found in your area.

Regards,

Gandolf

Looks like a hex to me. Everything in the lake will eat them.... it is a great time to be a fly fisherman. Anything close to the right size and color should work. Hares ear soft hackles tied on a longer hook seem to do well for a generic nymph (add black bead chain eyes), any mayfly looking dry fly pattern in a #8 and yellow.... yellow gurgle pops can be a lot of fun.

I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT YELLOW GURGLE-POPS!!! Dagnabbit! I have a couple of those in my box!

I did go back yesterday. There are lots of Bluegill holding just under the floating crappie dock. I tossed a small popper around a bit, and caught a couple. I noticed that the the fish were slurping down anything floating on the top that looked buggy. I pawed through my box, until I found a midge emerger pattern that I had tied up early this Spring. The 'gills were just inhaling it! None of them were very big; most were just a couple inches long.