Mayfly · Aquatic insect

Large Dark Mayfly

Coloburiscus humeralis
Large Dark Mayfly — Spinner
Size
10–14mm
Hook size
#14–12
Hatch window
Season November–MarchPeak time 16:00–21:00 (evening spinner)
Water temperature
14° peak
8°19°
Hatches from 8°C, peaking at 14°C, tailing off by 19°C.
How fish feed on it

By the time the spinners are down the fly has finished its job and is simply lying there, spent, wings flat in the film, going nowhere. Trout know the difference between something alive and something that's stopped trying, and they take spinners with a quiet, unbothered sip that's easy to miss if you're still watching for something splashier. Look for them on the glides and in the slack water, wherever the current gathers what's left.

Flies that imitate this
Kakahi Queen
Kakahi Queen
Dad's Favourite
Dad's Favourite
Spent Gnat / Spent Mayfly
Spent Gnat / Spent Mayfly
Ecology
Rivers & stillwaterAlpine riversSpate rivers
Where you'll find this
  • New ZealandPresent
Present throughout
Mayflies