Hex at Merrill Lake

stoneflyguy · 07-10-2005, 12:34 AM

The Hex hatch at Merrill has been hit or mis. I have had a few good hatches but more short ones. If going in the future, watch for the eagles and please be careful, they get close. I would hate to see one of these birds get hurt. I have taken several pictures of them trying to get my fish and they have managed to get a few. I have been going regular and if anyone would like to try it let me know, I usually have an open seat in my drift boat. I haven't stayed to fish the spinner fall yet, there just aren't that many bugs yet but it should get better. No big browns to report but I did catch a nice 18" football fat cutthroat.

Big Ben · 07-10-2005, 09:30 AM

We had a quick chat at the boat ramp the other night, blue lazy drifter. I'd love to take an open seat and compare notes with ya sometime.

stoneflyguy · 07-10-2005, 12:18 PM

That would be great. I remember the chat, that night we go into alot of fish but it wasn't one of the better hatches.

articulate leech · 07-11-2005, 02:49 PM

I haven't fished the Merrill Lake Hex hatch...I know lots of folks stay on the east side of the lake. I was looking at a map and it looks like the west side might have some productive terrain. Is the fishing good on the west side, too?

stoneflyguy · 07-12-2005, 01:06 AM

I generally fish the norht end where it is shallow. I think you can fish anywhere where it is up to 20' deep and do well. The west end seems to be deeper but I have caught fish on that end. I think maybe people tend to fish the east end because it is closer to the launch. I have had great sucsess on the North end. I don't claim to be a hex expert but over the years I have always done better than most on the North end.

padisharcreel · 07-14-2005, 08:00 PM

Without exception I have never caught a fish on a dry hex pattern during any hex hatch (large or small). However, when the hatch is on, I have done well with hex nymphs on a full sinking line with a dropper chronomid. Take about 2 fish on the nymph to one on the chronomid.

Chris

MarlinMark · 07-18-2005, 07:05 PM

Is this because you don't fish the drys enough to get into the part of the hatch when the fish have switched to the dries? I have a buddy that will fish a prince under an indicator when I'm killing them with a dry. He says "well I'm still getting fish." Of course you are. That is what they are eating. He doesn't care what he is using. He is fishing and having fun. Some guys just love the dries.

Mark

p.s. I post this with all due respect. Don't take this as any type of put down.

stoneflyguy · 07-19-2005, 01:17 AM

I will generally use a Hex Nymph before the action starts on top and then go to dries just before dark. I can usually catch fish consistantly on a dry from 7PM all the way through the hatch. The key is to have fun and if you are happy with what you are doing then go with it. I personally love to see the fish take a dryand find it more stimulating. It's all persoonal prefrence. Having fun is the key.