Continuing our series on Mahoganies….

Mahoganies are in the mayfly genus Paraleptophlebia, and at least 26 different species have been found in the Western US, with about 6 or 7 of those the most common.  As we did - these bugs are often mistaken for BWOs.

Most Western fishermen call these stream dwelling mayflies “Mahoganies”, and they spend most of the nymphal stage in moving, active riffles, moving to areas of slower water as they mature, with the most mature nymphs found in backwaters and slower runs. 

One interesting feature of Mahogany nymphs is that often make what have been termed as “practice runs” before the actual hatch - there have been several theories as to what’s actually happening here - and for the most part they’re not really important as to why - who really knows?  Bottom line - the nymph often makes several trips up and down through the water column before actually emerging. 

A guide friend thinks this is a very important phase, and often begins an hour or more before you see a dun on the surface. 

So what - what does that mean for you?  Well, on water that you know has a decent mahoganies hatch, working your favorite nymph and emerger  (wet) patterns before the hatch has been starting might be a good strategy….

More to come….

Technorati Tags: mahoganies in Yellowstone

Tags: Bugs: Mayflies - Mahoganies