Hexagenia Mayflies and Smallmouth Bass

Hexagenia Mayfly Spinner FlyFishing Scott Radian Fly Rod

Hexagenia Mayfly spinner and the Scott Radian 9’6″ 7wt on a recent evening on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Edinburg, Virginia.  The Hexagenia Mayflies are coming off the river in good numbers right now between 6:45pm and 8:45pm and the Smallmouth Bass are eagerly feeding on them.  Go with a 3x Bass Bug Leader, #8 Mr. Rapidan Skater (dressed frequently with SA Dry Fly Floatant or Gink to keep it floating), wade cautiously and be patient.  The tail of the pool has been most productive for me over the years.  Flyfish your Mr. Rapidan Skater upstream, downstream, down and across, dead drift as well as with a slow stripping motion all the while paying attention to which of these techniques produces the best results.