Epeorus

Various Epeorus are common in the McKenzie, and seem to be some of the more interesting mayflies there.

(body length approx 6 mm)

I have only seen two of these since I've been bug hunting, but the bug looks cool enough that I thought I'd photograph it anyway. These two photos are of the same insect, just with different backgrounds. For some reason the dark background really brings out the colors on this critter. Not sure what advantage these bright colors have, possibly as a warning?

(body length approx 8 mm)

I don't know why these nymphs are smiling -- probably to give the fish the heebie jeebies. (I know it worked on me...)

(body length approx 2 mm)

Lift up any rock in the faster water, and you will probably see dozens of these little buggers scrabbling around. They stick to the rocks pretty tenaciously, so it is unlikely that the nymphs will become fish food.

Pink Ladies

(body length approx 8-9 mm)

Just after the March Browns these particular epeorus are one of the first good (at times) mayfly hatches to happen on the McKenzie. The common name for this is the "pink lady" hatch -- but looking at this photo you may wonder how they got this name... But look below:

(body length approx 8-9 mm)

The underside of the duns have a light salmon tinge to them... This is the side the fish see. If you walk up to a river and see some unknown mayfly hatching check what it looks like underneath before choosing your fly!

(body length approx 8-9 mm)

dmason@zebu.uoregon.edu