Chocolate Spinners
Like most common names, "Chocolate Spinner" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 3 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
Mayfly Species Eurylophella bicolor
These are sometimes called Chocolate Spinners.
According to the Leonards in Mayflies: An Angler's Study of Trout Water Ephemeroptera , this species and Eurylophella bicolor are the two most likely hatches for fly fishermen to encounter in Michigan. Based on my sampling, it seems other species may be more prevalent elsewhere.
Mayfly Species Ephemerella needhami
These are sometimes called Chocolate Spinners.
This small and slightly noteworthy mayfly appears during the finest hours of the year. Ernest Schwiebert describes an Ephemerella needhami day in Matching the Hatch:
I have not fished a needhami emergence, but the exquisite nymphs show up often (though never abundantly) in my samples.
"It was a wonderul morning, with a sky of indescribable blue and big, clean-looking cumulus clouds, and the water was sparkling and alive. You have seen the water with that lively look; you have also seen it dead and uninviting in a way that dampens the enthusiasm the moment you wade out into the current."
I have not fished a needhami emergence, but the exquisite nymphs show up often (though never abundantly) in my samples.
Ephemerella needhami (Little Dark Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph
View 5 PicturesI took quite a few notes at the microscope when I collected this specimen. They're attached to the appropriate pictures.
I found this specimen in the same collection as a similar one. Since I only have strange views of this one, it's possible that they're actually the same specimen and I somehow confused my picture-ordering and got the impression that they're different nymphs.
View 5 PicturesI took quite a few notes at the microscope when I collected this specimen. They're attached to the appropriate pictures.I found this specimen in the same collection as a similar one. Since I only have strange views of this one, it's possible that they're actually the same specimen and I somehow confused my picture-ordering and got the impression that they're different nymphs.
Region: Upper Midwest
Collected Jun 8, 2005
Added May 26, 2006
Ephemerella needhami (Little Dark Hendrickson) Mayfly Dun
View 7 PicturesSee the comments for an interesting discussion of the identification of this dun.
View 7 PicturesSee the comments for an interesting discussion of the identification of this dun.Region: Catskills
Collected Jun 1, 2007
Added Jun 4, 2007
Male Ephemerella needhami (Little Dark Hendrickson) Mayfly Spinner
View 12 Pictures
View 12 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Jun 4, 2005
Added May 25, 2006
See 14 more specimens...
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