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The Specimen

Stenacron interpunctatum (Light Cahill) Mayfly NymphStenacron interpunctatum (Light Cahill) Mayfly Nymph View 7 Pictures
Collected June 5, 2005 from the Marengo River in Wisconsin
Added to Troutnut.com by on May 25, 2006

The Discussion

Post Reply
ChadwickJuly 1st, 2009, 4:19 pm
Posts: 1I would like to know the best way to present the nymph and in which section of the river. Should they be dead drifted mid riffle, swung through tail out ect.
GONZOJuly 2nd, 2009, 3:12 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		Hi Chadwick,

Although heptageniids can swim, they generally do it out of the current. If you were to rate the swimming ability of mayfly nymphs, Isonychia would be Michael Phelps, and most heptageniids would be something like the fat kid in remedial gym class. When you watch heptageniids like Stenacron, Maccaffertium, or Stenonema in aquaria, they often try to cling to airstones or, in the absence of stones or other debris, to each other. However, when they get caught in the turbulence created by the airstone without first getting a good grip, they usually freeze and drift in a kitelike manner until they are free of the current. Then they might swim around awkwardly until they regain a foothold on something.

So, clinger nymph imitations presented in stronger current should usually be dead-drifted with at most an occasional feeble twitch. A gentle twitching lift or swing would be imitative as the nymph moves into emergence sites near edges, eddies, or slack areas around boulders.

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