This landed on my neck yesterday on the river. It was about a size 10 and had at least one more tail which fell off before I took the photo.

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Steve


"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." Paul O'Neil

Looks like a Large Brook Dun, Ecdyonuris Torrentis
Where were you fishing?

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C & R since 1963

agreed with roy

Thanks Roy,
River Sullane in Cork, near Macroom.

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Steve


"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." Paul O'Neil

or Ecdyonurus venosus 'Late March Brown' listed as fairly common in Ireland...

I would call it a March Brown, loads on the Blackwater and other rivers I fish at the moment.

The reason it stood out was it's size, easily 2/3 times bigger than any other upwings I've seen this season.

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Steve


"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." Paul O'Neil

Its about half the size of a proper Mayfly, but it acts very like one in the air. I did a double take when I saw them coming off the Blackwater first, its a while since I have seen any numbers of them

Hi', All.
The fly in question is definitely an Ecdyonurid ( 1 of 4 of the largest of the genus, Heptagenidae). March Brown is found in Ireland, according to an old distribution map, J. R.Harris, ( An Angler's Entomology ); but it's not an MB.
The MB has an even colour over it's body segments, basically brown, ringed with yellow ribs; and it has the characterisitic 'window' in its forewing. Your fly, Steve, has barred wings, suggesting LBD, and the distinctive patterned body segments, they being divided diagonally, to form two distinct colours. Later on, you may see Large Green Dun, a beautiful fly with diagonal split of green and almost black triangles, and it has the typical patterned wings.
The fly isn't a False MB, as they have less decorative wings, the wngs are heavily veined, but they don't have bars or a window. The remaining Ecdyonurid is Autumn Dun. Again a well-veined wing, but no pattern.
The much-discussed fly is a Large Brook Dun, which is the earliest of the Ecdyonurid genus. Phew, you and I say!! The long-winded old beggar is finished.
Hope that helped. TerryC

Great reply Terry, I need to learn more about dun and spinner I.D.

Ecdyonurids can be easily hatched at home or in the classroom (as part of "mayfly in the classroom"):

http://urbantrout.blogspot.com/2009/...andmother.html