The Hex, Great Olive Winged Drake or Hexagenia Limbata is one of the world's largest mayflies, thrives in silty bottoms, slow water and emerges any time between mid June and mid July, dependent on warm humid nights. Nearly all activity happens from dusk onwards when the angler will hear a whispering similar to wind blowing through tall grass that steadily grows in intensity. Look up and you'll see a plague of biblical proportions flying overhead, as swarms travel upstream leaving a trail of spent bodies behind. When I say plague, I mean it, there are tens of thousands! This is prime-time Brown fishing and with a menu the size of a Hex spinner fall, the largest trout in the stream throw caution to the wind and gorge themselves over a two week period. I first heard about such a hatch on a now defunct Internet Fishing Forum but despite its termination, it has left the angler conservationist a fine legacy known as the Trout Bum Bar-B-Q and crucially, its fund raising and festivities centre on the Hex's emergence. With a relaxed atmosphere, it offers the 'out-of-towner' a great way of fishing alongside some talented local characters where advice and camaraderie are freely given. Held in Grayling, Michigan, revellers are there to fish the pristine waters of the Au Sable and Manistee that, especially the later, offer a hatch par-excellence.

The Au Sable, meaning 'river of sand' and home waters of Trout Unlimited founder George Griffith, has another heritage in the form of the Au Sable Riverboat. Still used today, by guides with such colourful names as Ol' Scrot' and Dunkin' Dan, this long low wooden craft with its flat bottom, is ideally suited to these waters and is punted along with a pole. A thoroughly upmarket fishing platform that has something of the tranquil and serene about it. The river, an ancient highway used by the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, is spring fed along its path and designated as a 'Wild and Scenic River', which imposes certain restrictions on development, pollution control and use along its banks. If you're looking for somewhere to fish during the day before you hit the Hex stretches, then a good place to sample is the 'Holy Water'. Although not good Hex water, you need to go downstream for that, this eight mile stretch of fly-only no-kill, is wadeable, easy to access and attracts anglers the world over. Cool and clear, it picks its way over a sand and gravel bed, whilst twisting through domestic and cedar lined banks. The diverse nature of this stretch, with its mix of scrub, cedars, flowers and wildlife will enchant even the most hardened of anglers, and with plenty of structure in the water, holds some fine specimens. Put all this together, plus its 5 star accommodation for caddis, stoneflies, brown drakes, sulphurs and Hendricksons, and you can see why George Griffith chose to live here. When picking a stretch to fish for the Hex, then the best bet is to consult the local fly shop, as they'll have the latest update as to where the hatches are happening.

The Manistee, not as famous as its neighbour the Au Sable, still played its part in providing a highway for trade. Its name comes from an Ottawa Indian word meaning 'Spirit of the Woods' and occasionally anglers find stone arrowheads that missed their target, along the banks. Like most rivers in the area it flows over a sand and gravel bed, augmented with springs and doesn't really suffer from run-off water. Many consider the Hex fishing here as some of the best you'll find anywhere and the fly only section, from Yellow Trees Landing down to the CCC Bridge, offers some good Brown Drake and Hex water. Its birthplace is only a couple of miles west of the Au Sable but nature chose that it should take a Westerly route into Lake Michigan. It offers the angler just as much diversity as the Au Sable but because it's not written about so much, has less pressure. There's something for everyone; from the home of the Brook Trout and Beaver in the upper reaches with short rods and light lines, to the spring and autumn Steelhead runs below Tippy.

The Jordan - I had to include this even though its not known for Hex hatches because quite honestly, if you like small brooks, its upper reaches are most spectacular and with the cold springs feeding it, offers good fishing even on the hottest days. Here the tenacious angler can catch Browns, Brooks and Rainbows but a cautionary word; only fish here if you're at one with the world and totally mellowed out. A strange advisory to give but the water is criss-crossed with submerged obstacles in the form of fallen cedar logs and requires a slow measured approach to wading. This coupled with a tree line right up to the water, that ensnares any fly that wafts near its outstretched branches, makes for a potentially cardiac-dangerous situation unless you develop a relaxed philosophical outlook to your day. Despite this, you'll find the Jordan will reward you with nature's bounty in a special setting where crystal clear water runs over golden sand and you'll be lucky to see another angler.

The Hex is a huge fly, 2 to 3 inches in length, and the imitation needs a sturdy hook to handle those lunker fish and consequently, plenty of buoyancy. Such a fly is the Roberts Drake from Michigan. The originator, one Clarence Roberts, was a Conservation Officer around the Grayling area and the pattern can be tied in sizes down to an 18 or smaller, if you've the patience and eye sight, to represent any number of mayfly. Hook: #6 Mustad 9672 Streamer - Thread: Yellow #3/0 - Tail: Pheasant Tail - Body: Light Tan Deer Hair - Hackle: Brown saddle - Post: White Deer Hair from underside. Take the thread down to the bend, tie in 4 pheasant tail fibres and take the thread back towards the eye stopping short, allowing room for the post and head. Cut a clump of deer hair about the length of the hook shank and hold the hair on top. Tie in where the thread stopped so that the tips extend beyond the shank. Wrap the body securely along the shank using open firm turns and at the bend, give a firm tug and several wraps so that the hair beyond the shank flares slightly. Take the thread back up to the end of the deer hair, using firm open turns to create a cross-hatch effect up the body, and half-hitch. Take the white deer hair, roughly ¾ shank's length and tie in as a post in front of the body. Match 2 brown hackles, tie in shiny side down, wrap down the post parachute style and half-hitch to secure. Finish the head and tie off.

Planning a Trip

The great thing about hiring an Au Sable Riverboat and guide for a night float, is that you can cover a lot of water and search out where the Hex is heaviest. The Fly Factory in Grayling (www.troutbums.com), is a one-stop emporium for licences, guides, riverboats, canoes, flies, fishing art, literature and stream conditions. It also hosts the Trout Bum Bar-B-Q and running concurrently, the Rodmakers at Greyrock (www.canerod.com) who finally push you into piscatorial overload as they demonstrate the skill of crafting bamboo.

For details on lodging and camping, look no further than Grayling's own site at (www.grayling-mi.com) and if you're inclined to spend the night under the stars, then there are a number of State Forest Campgrounds right on the river and some of them beside prime Hex water. It should be noted that these camps are of a minimalist nature, so leave the stiletto heels and lipstick at home.

If you're not from the States, then chances are that you've never heard of DeLorme maps (www.delorme.com). First thing you should buy is their Atlas & Gazetteer for Michigan, as this invaluable document will steer you along almost every dirt track there is. In conjunction with this, the Challenge Chapter of Trout Unlimited publishes excellent booklets on both the Manistee and Au Sable that describe in detail, stretches of water and access - these are available through The Fly Factory and other outfitters.

© Budget Angler 2000