classic Michigan dry fly · before 1970
Giant Michigan Mayfly
Unverified origin No public source describing either version was found.
History
The Giant Michigan Mayfly came in two forms, a dun and a spinner, and was in use before 1970. Its originator is not known. The Hex (Hexagenia limbata) is the largest mayfly on Michigan trout streams, and it hatches mostly after dark from late June into early July.
The dun is a parachute fly with a natural deer-hair body and a dark elk post. The spinner swaps in a yellow deer-hair body and spent hen-tip wings for the night spinner fall.
Materials
| Hook | Dry, sizes 2 to 6 |
|---|---|
| Tail (dun) | Pheasant tail fibers |
| Post (dun) | Dark elk hair |
| Body (dun) | Natural deer hair |
| Rib (dun) | Yellow thread, crisscrossed |
| Hackle (dun) | Brown and grizzly, wound parachute |
| Body (spinner) | Yellow deer hair |
| Wings (spinner) | Two pairs of hen hackle tips, tied spent |
Sources
Know more about this fly's history, or spot a mistake? Send a correction.
No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.