On western trout waters, the
Hexagenia
hatch has the potential to provide the prepared angler with stories for
life, and no one knows this better than Nevada-based fly fisherman and
fly tyer, Andy Burk.
Burk’s
Hexagenia
nymph was cleverly designed to imitate the tremendous movement of these
giant nymphs as they clumsily make their way to shallower water to
complete their life cycles and hatch. Burk’s design incorporates fluffy
pheasant “aftershaft” feathers that are similar in appearance and
action to filoplumes. This shaggy fly pattern is so realistic
underwater, you’ll be fooling the hungry trout of your favorite lake in
no time!
Specifications:
- This fly pattern was developed by professional fly tyer Andy Burk of Reno, Nevada
- Hexagenia imitation in the mature nymph life stage
- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- Swim the fly through slow water; lakes, backwater, and eddys are the most productive water types for this fly
- Best results are obtained just prior to or at dusk when Hexagenia are most active
- Hexagenia can be an important hatch because of their sheer size; strikes are often aggressive
- SIZE 6
When and Where to Fish Burk’s Hexagenia Nymph
This
large mayfly nymph can be fished as either an impressionistic fly
pattern when searching for trout or as a realistic imitation when
matching the hatch. When searching, fish this fly in slow backwaters
and eddys just before dusk – this is the time when Hexagenia nymphs leave the quiet protection of their burrows to hatch into adult duns. When fishing the Hexagenia
hatch, it’s important to note that these nymphs “swim” from the muddy
river bottom to the water’s surface, so try this pattern out just prior
to or during the hatch of adult duns.
How to Fish Burk’s Hexagenia Nymph
Fish
this fly in very slow water; backwaters and eddys are prime real estate
for these large burrowing nymphs. Generally, the slower the water and
the muddier the bottom, the more packed with Hexagenia
nymphs the environment will be, making lakes environments classic “Hex
water.” When fishing this fly pattern in a lake or river environment,
don’t be afraid to “swim” the fly during the presentation by gently
moving the rod tip up and down or feeding line back and forward through
the guides with your stripping hand. When Hexagenia
make themselves available through evening feeding or emergence to adult
duns, trout prey on them hungrily and voraciously, so don’t be
surprised when you feel an aggressive take – set the hook!
Hexagenia
Hexagenia,
brown to light yellow in color, are giant mayflies that occur in North
American trout water from the midwest to the northeast. In the west,
these large insects are only locally distributed in thin populations
within the Pacific states of California, Oregon, and Washington. During
the larval stage, Hexagenia create shelter by digging burrows in soft, muddy substrate in slow moving water of rivers and lakes. Hexagenia
follows the life stages of a typical mayfly life cycle and hatches in
the western United States from spring (May) to late summer (August). Hexagenia
in the eastern regions are often referred to as the “Great Leadwinged
Drake” and are most active through the mid-western to the northeastern
United States from June to September. Western species of Hexagenia are often called the “Big Yellow May.”
Hexagenia Nymph Life Stage
During
its nymph life stage, these large burrowers are most commonly found in
the slow water environments of lakes. In river systems, these giant
nymphs call low energy backwaters and eddys home. “Hex” nymphs require
the muddy substrate of these environments to create their protective
burrows. These nymphs only leave the safety of their burrows to feed or
to hatch to adult duns. Their swimming ability is relatively strong and
these nymphs expose themselves by making adventurous trips away from
safety just before emergence and subsequent hatching. The large size of
Hexagenia nymphs makes them
quite appealing to trout, and consequently an important hatch on many
rivers and lakes. These nymphs are available to trout from spring
through late summer and are most active in the evenings.
About the Tyer: Andy Burk
Andy
Burk has been fly fishing all his life and loves to share his
experience, ideas, creativity, and techniques with anyone who’ll
listen. He’s a tremendously successful angler who has a big personality
and lots of fun wherever he is. A well-known professional fly designer
for Umpqua Feather Merchants, Andy has developed a cult following among
fly tyers by willingly sharing many of his best secrets at traveling
fly tying shows and in-shop demonstrations. Andy has recently begun to
reach many others by using 21st Century technology to his advantage.
Thanks to Andy and You Tube, Internet-savvy fly tyers and fly anglers
from all corners of the globe can now bring his fly tying tips into
their living rooms and offices. Andy continues to develop new ideas
from his home in Reno, Nevada, and is will continue to be an asset to
the fly fishing industry for decades to come.
Leland on Umpqua
In
1972 a man named Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves
in high demand. Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was
famous in the industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with
whipping up tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It
wasn’t long until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought
to take his consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly
after this realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together
to support Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack
Dennis, and Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself.”