Mahogany Dun / Slate Drake / Leadwing Coachman Mayfly
Isonychia bicolor
Isonychia bicolor is commonly referred too the Mahogany
Dun, Slate Drake and Leadwing Coachman. In the past, many people also referred to Isonychia
sadleri and Isonychia
harperi, which entomologists now have grouped with Isonychia
bicolor. This is one of the major hatches in the Midwest on many freestone
streams and rivers.
Fly fisherman should carry a selection of fly imitations to match the Mahogany Duns (Slate Drake) throughout the summer months. The nymphs are excellent swimmers and at emergence time most nymphs will crawl out of the water to shuck their nymphal case and become a dun. Look on rocks, logs and grass reeds that are partially submerged in the water along the shallows for shucked Isonychia bicolor nymph cases. At these times dun patterns are not important unless the nymphs are emerging in mid-stream which is usually not the case. In the evening hours look for the returning Isonychia spinners over the riffled waters. They offer the trout a choice meal.
Click here for my Isonychia bicolor nymph patterns and their recipes.
See photos below:
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