7 minute read

V. Paul Reynolds

from Mountain Messenger Week 3 July 2019

by Turner Publishing, Inc.

from Mountain Messenger Week 3 July 2019, page 4

Article from: Mountain Messenger Week 3 July 2019

Blues Classifieds

Annual ‘hex hatch’ brings out the trout

V. Paul Reynolds

A hex, or if your Latin is good, a Hexagenia limbata, is a bomber-size Mayfly that shows up on Maine trout ponds in mid-summer, usually early July. For a trout, they are a turkey dinner with all the fixin’s — a chance to get the most amount of food for the least amount of effort.

To a trout-loving fly fishermen, a hex hatch is an adrenaline rush — a sight to behold. Infact, like a solar eclipse or an expanse of northern lights in the winter sky, a true hex hatch on a trout pond counts as one of those special moments in nature. Truth is my experience with hex hatches can be counted on one hand. Still, one July hex encounter stands out in my memory.

Diane and I were camped at one of Wiggie Robinson’s favorite trout ponds in early July. The fishing had been slow all day. Then just before dark the hexes began to bust through the still surface of the pond. Soon the pond was covered with these big-winged, lime-green duns. It looked like a flotilla of small sailboats “in irons,” becalmed by the dying breeze.

Blup, Blup, Blup. The feeding began and the pond was peppered with surface feeding trout dimples wherever you looked. The trout gorged themselves for about an hour. They also took our big White Wulffs without hesitation. Then the hexes disappeared as fast as they came on, and the fishing slowed accordingly.

There is an ongoing debate among Maine anglers about what to call these big bugs. Anglers who know a lot more about entomology than I do say that most of us misname the hex, calling it a “Green Drake,” as in “Hey, Joe. You really missed it. As soon as the sun went behind the mountain, the pond was covered with Green Drakes. A wicked hatch! Never seen anything to beat it.”

So the question is, I guess, “When is a Green Drake a Green Drake, and when is a Hex a Hex?” You don’t care? Well, in that case, you’re probably just a casual fly fisher of trout. Those of us, whose heroes are fly fishing entomologists, like to know our bugs, for that is how you get to know your trout and how best to seduce them.

I put the aforementioned question to Tom Fuller, a seasoned fly fisher, outdoor writer, author, and aspiring entomologist, who has written an informative new book, “Eastern Hatches.” Fishing with Fuller is a learning experience. In late May, after getting skunked at one of my favorite trout ponds, we wound up throwing popping bugs at pickerel and crappies at Hermon Pond. Warm-water angling can be a nice change of pace for trout fanatics. The pressure is off; conversation comes easy. Here is his answer:

“The differences between the Eastern Green Drake (3 tails on the dun) and the Hex hatch (two tails on the dun) are at best subtle. The

Eastern has mottled wings, the Hex doesn’t have the mottling, but does have veins. Coloration and size really depend on the waters, where they’re found, and the fertility. The real difference is the double gills found on body segment #1 on the hex. The Eastern nymph has single gills on body segments 1 through 7.”

As Fuller pointed out, when these big bugs are onthe water, the fish are really fired up and just about any big pattern will work. Wulffs, a large Adams, or a Hornberg never disappoint when the hex hatch is on. Or, if you are lucky enough to be on the good side of Greenville’s fishing fisheries biologist,Tim Obrey, he may grace your fly box with a timely gift — a lethal fly he ties called a “Sexy Hexy.”

As always the best of trout fishing in Maine begins to fade as summer comes on and water temperatures drive the brookies deep into the spring holes, but there is still time, especially because of the late spring and slow-warming waters. The farther north in Maine you go, the more likely that the favorable water temperatures will hold a while longer. Who knows? You might get lucky and get in on a Green Drake hatch during a cloudy, humid day. If it happens, you won’t soon forget it.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine guide and host of a weekly radio program, “Maine Outdoors,” heard at 7 p.m. Sundays on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. He has authored three books; online purchase information is available at www.maineoutdoorpublications.net.

CAMP FOR RENT

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MONDAY 7/1 Baked Chicken strips Baked Potato Peas Tapioca 7/8 Hamburg Casserole Bread Mixed Berry Crisp

7/15 Fresh Fruit Plate Jell-O w/fruit cocktail Brownies JULY 2019 RANGELEY TOWNHOUSE MEALSITE

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 7/2

Pork Roast Mashed Potato

Carrots

Fruit 7/3

CLOSED

7/4 SPECIAL MENU

7/9 Baked Ham Boiled Potato Green Beans Pudding 7/10 Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Italian Bread Cherry Squares 7/11 Baked Chicken Baked Potato Corn Strawberry Surprise

7/16 Pot Roast Mashed Potato Carrots Fruit 7/17 Shepherd’s Pie Rolls Ice Cream 7/18 Chicken Chow Mein w/Noodles Tapioca Pudding PHONE 864-3986 FRIDAY 7/5 Seafood Chowder Crackers Assorted Desserts

7/12 Baked Haddock Rice Pilaf Broccoli Ice Cream 7/19 Haddock Chowder Crackers Apple Crisp

7/22 Cold Plate Chicken Salad Sliced Tomato & Cukes On a Bed of Lettuce Ice Cream 7/23 Roast Turkey w/all the Fixings Fruit 7/24 American Chop Suey Italian Bread Chocolate Pudding 7/25 Meatloaf Mashed Potato Mixed Vegetables 7/26 Baked Haddock Rice Pilaf Peas Assorted Desserts

7/29 Smothered Beef Over Mashed Potato Beets Chocolate Cake w/P B Frosting

7/30 Homemade Baked Beans Red Hot Dogs Rolls Mixed Fruit 7/31 Macaroni & Cheese w/Ham Vegetable Crispy Squares 8/1 Chicken Potpie Cranberry Sauce Raspberry Squares 8/2 Sautee Scallops Baked Potato Green Beans Tapioca Pudding

Effective January 1, 2015: DONATIONS for meals will be $5.00 for seniors 55 and over. All others $6.00 NOTE: WHEAT OR RYE BREAD AND CRACKERS SERVED DAILY. FRESH FRUIT SERVED DAILY. NEW SODIUM REDUCED MENU ALL MEALS ARE HOMEMADE ALL MEALS ARE SERVED WITH VEGETABLE, BEVERAGE & DESSERT MEALS ARE SERVED FROM 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLEASE CALL IN DELIVERIES BEFORE 10:00 AM

Rumford Community Summer Music Fest is July 27

RUMFORD — This year’s 2019 Summer Music Fest, which is Saturday, July 27, is being dedicated to Greg Viger and Dan Gautreau, who were both integral contributors to the event in the past, as well as beloved members of the Rumford community.

The Music Fest will be held at the Eagles Hall, and doors open at 10:30 a.m. Bands will play until 5 p.m.

The festival is hosted by Tony and Jen Belskis and Tricia Blouin of the Good Stuff Band.

Bands appearing are Taste (house band), Good Stuff Band, Gutzy Right (Bruce Cornelio and AJ Gaudette), The Grown-ups (Frank Coffin, Malinda Liberty, Tedd Hamilton), as well as Deb Morin, Denny Breau, Shawna Bell, Chad Haynes, The Louvats (Bill and Dan), Bill Scott, Bobby Hodgkins, Fred Madore, Derek Blodgett and special guests Peter Alden, from Orlando, Fla., and “American Idol’s Evelyn Cormier, from New Hampshire.

Tickets are being sold in advance.at the Eagles and at Bartash Drug Store.