NC stream

[troutphisher]

I fished a stream in western NC today. It was a free stone stream, the air temp was right at 75 when I started at 9:00am and the water temp was 56 degs. the water was slightly off color. I started the day fishing dries. I fished a yellow comparadun sulphur. I fished this fly in the seams and slow water pools near the edges. I managed some small browns and a bow. Later in the afternoon I noticed the fish were sipping, but I could figure out what they were taking, I tired several different flies, and managed another brown and bow, but it was frustrating to see all the action and float flies right into the feeding lanes, and nothing.

I noticed several large stone flies and was able to catch a few, most were laying eggs and near spent.
I took one of these large stone flies and put it in the feeding lane and watched to see if a fish would rise and take it. About 40 yards down stream, I watched a big splash and the fly was taken. I have never seen a fish take one of these large stones before, so it was interesting.

I might try a pattern of these flies one day, they seam easy enough to fish by  just letting them float the feeding lanes.

Here are some pic's of the stones. Note the coloration of the wings, these large stones were different.

[larrybug]

nice rod and a big bug

[lepomis_mcro]

that bug does look good sitting on that tea stick i do love the color thread they use

[troutjedi]

TP, you sure that first one wasn't a Dobson fly?  Kinda looks like one to me....  Watch out, the females will eat your hand

[phg]

The first one does seem to be from the order megaloptera.  Take a look at this fishfly:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/4149

Cool pictures anyway.

[troutphisher]

When I saw it flying and cuaght it, I thought it looked different. I have never seen them with the white band on the wings.
I assumed it was a stone fly, either female or male? when flying the pattern is distinctive. The top bug did not have mandibles, the head was more like a stone fly.The fish ate both of them.

I didn't think there were Dobson flies in the east for some reason.

[Woolly Bugger]

When I saw it flying and cuaght it, I thought it looked different. I have never seen them with the white band on the wings.
I assumed it was a stone fly, either female or male? when flying the pattern is distinctive. The fish ate both of them.

I didn't think there were Dobson flies in the east for some reason.

this is one i shot last august in the smokies...

[phg]

We definitely do have dobson flys here in the southeast (all of the east, actually), and they are similar, although generally a fair bit bigger.  Fish don't eat the adult too eargly, but the helgrimite nymph is a particular favorite of small mouth bass.

[Woolly Bugger]

We definitely do have dobson flys here in the southeast (all of the east, actually), and they are similar, although generally a fair bit bigger.  Fish don't eat the adult too eargly, but the helgrimite nymph is a particular favorite of small mouth bass.

speaking of helgrimites, I've actually caught out, or shall I say that it caught my nymph.. :)

[troutphisher]

This is the fly is the top picture, Megaloptra, nigronia.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/4156

These flies are a good indicator of the water quality of the stream. I am glad to see them.


Paul you were correct, that was the fly.

Thanks