The weather sure has changed here in New Hampshire’s north country over the last two days. From temps in the mid-70’s last week to temps in the mid to high 40’s yesterday and today, with a healthy blow from the north. Yes, it feels more like May, or even October out there, as we have taken a brief break from summer.
We’re close to our favorite time of the year, when the annual Hexagenia hatch begins on Back Lake, but we’re not quite there yet. According to one of my more credible sources, there were a couple of hex sightings yesterday evening on the lake, but that was the extent of the action, and with our upcoming weather pattern, the hatch might be a little delayed this year.
It’s inevitable. The hex hatch begins … and then it ends.
We’re nearly two weeks (12 days now) in to the annual Hexagenia hatch at Back Lake, and the hatching activity unfortunately appears to be winding down. It’s about the right timeline, as the hex hatch is typically a two-week event, more or less. That’s only half the story, though, as it relates to the hex hatch. The trout and bass have still been active the last few evenings, taking the dwindling supply of hexes that are still available.
Our changing weather in Pittsburg over the last two days has led to changes for the hexagenia hatch on Back Lake as well. A cold front, trailing a string of storms a couple of days ago, has cooled the water’s surface of the lake the last two nights (down to the upper 40’s Tuesday night, and low 40’s last night), throwing a bit of a wrench in the plans of anglers that like to take advantage of the hex hatch.
They’re baaack … Yes, the time that all of us anglers have been waiting for is finally here, as the notorious Hexagenia Limbata hatch has started again for another year. For those unfamiliar with “The Hex”, or Great Leadwinged Drake, it is the largest of the mayflies, and an eagerly anticipated part of a fish’s (trout or bass, it turns out) diet on Back Lake for the next two weeks or so. And yes, the hex is much anticipated by us anglers too …
That’s long time TTL guest Mike Casavant with a beauty of a rainbow that he took on Back Lake recently. The fishing on the lake has been pretty solid recently, but for those of you waiting anxiously for news on the annual hexagenia mayfly hatch on Back Lake, keep waiting …