Hex Time in the Old Midwest
When the Hex mayflies hatch it is a true spectacle of nature. Not just a hatch but a superhatch beyond imagining. You have to see it to understand. The Discovery channel called it a “Swarm,” like locusts, and so it is. For more go have a look at this video clip by the Discovery Channel http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/superswarm-mayfly-clouds.html
A really great pattern to imitate the giant duns is the Hair Wing Dun. Really easy and fast to tie. Here’s the gist of it from Designing Trout Flies (1991). The art is by Jason Borger.
The Hex Dun, rightly called the Giant Michigan mayfly.
The tail is pheasant tail fibers
The yellow deer hair body is tied in first at the head, and spiraled rearward.
The body is extender around the tail fibers and the then the thread wrapped back to the head x"ing over the rearward spiral wraps. A thread base is wrapped tightly over the body read to set the wings.
The wings are a clump of natural-color deer hair, tied in a splayed over the top 1/2 of the hook.
The "wing" forms the wing and legs of the fly.
Ready for the eating.