Mayfly hatches make for great fly fishing

Early summer marks the time of the year where mayflies begin to emerge from the water. While the hatch can be a nuisance for some, it also can be a great opportunity for fly-fishing.

Mayflies live the majority of their lives under water, for several months or years depending on the species, before emerging as winged adults. Adults only live for a day, but just long enough to mate and lay eggs. Wherever concentrations of mayflies are near water, you will likely to find concentrations of hungry fish waiting for mayflies to inevitably fall onto the water’s surface. Anglers fishing a good hatch can usually catch bream after bream with ease due to the feeding frenzy.

If you plan to take advantage of the mayfly hatch, we recommend you go with a 3-5 weight, 8-9 feet long fly rod, a reel to match the rod, and a weight-forward floating fly line with a weight that matches the rod. For a 4-weight rod, use a 4-weight fly line. You will also need a tapered leader or tippet, which connects the heavy fly line to the lure. The monofilament leader should be 8-10 feet long. Popping bugs with a number 10 or 12 hook size are popular flies for bream.

Although it is difficult to tell exactly when or where a major hatch might erupt, large hatches have been known to happen at the Ross Barnett Reservoir near the spillway and along the dam or around the Highway 43 area connecting Rankin and Madison counties. Mayflies have also been known to be prevalent on the Chunky River near Enterprise, the Strong River near D’Lo, and the Bouie River in Hattiesburg. Look for mayflies clinging to low branches over water or surface disruptions and be ready to take advantage of the situation.

Alligator hunting application process under way

The 2019 Public Waters Alligator Hunting Season in Mississippi will open at noon Aug. 30 and conclude at noon on Sept. 9. A total of 960 permits will be available within seven hunting zones across the state for the 10-day season. Permits are issued according to a random drawing and an application for eligibility is required.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks isaccepting applications through 10 a.m. June 7. The application is free, but there is a $2.34 processing fee.

Applicants may only apply in one alligator hunting zone of their choice. Applications will be accepted online at www.mdwfp.com or at any point of sale location where Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The first drawing will take place on or about June 12. Drawn applicants will be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline. A second drawing will take place for permits that are not purchased during the first 48-hour period. Drawn applicants from the second drawing will also be notified by email with a link to purchase their permit with a 48-hour deadline. A credit card or debit card is required to complete the online permit purchase.

To be eligible to apply for an alligator hunting permit you must be a resident of Mississippi, at least 16 years of age at the time of application. Nonresidents with a Mississippi Lifetime License are eligible. Applicants must have one of the following licenses to be eligible to apply: a valid Mississippi Sportsman License, All-Game Hunting/Fishing License, Small Game Hunting/Fishing License, Apprentice Sportsman License, Apprentice All Game License, Apprentice Small Game License, Senior Exempt License, Disabled Exempt License, or Lifetime License.

 

For more information regarding alligator hunting rules and regulations, visit our website at www.mdwfp.com/alligator or call us at 601-432-2199. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.

–Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks