With a bit of warming sun out this afternoon I spotted quite a few (what I think are) male Hawthorn Flies.Definitely not the larger female.Is this early? I know last year I hardly saw any, male or female, both at home (Chilterns) and the Northampton waters I fish.Any other sightings? I always look forward to seeing them end up on the water in numbers, but more often than not remain disappointed.

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Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

tis about the right time as far as I know

There were dozens of Hawthorn flies - both male and female when I was walking the dog earlier this afternoon

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Spotted the first ones up here in South Cumbria yesterday afternoon in a field adjacent to River Kent. Not many and males. Out fishing a tarn today at about 800` above sea level and quite a feast for the Trout. Again first hawthorns at that tarn plus daddy longlegs, beetles brown and black and large and small, first alder flies, a trickle of dark buzzersand believe it or not a caenis. Hopefully a good sign as last year saw very few hawthorns, daddies etc.

Bob

Spotted some flies similar to Hawthorns today in South Yorks - but they weren't black. Could they have been Hawthorns or are they another Bibio species? They were about the same size, possibly a tad smaller, and had the dangly back legs.

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How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

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Hi',Tommy.
There are three Bibio species, all black. Hawthorn Fy is very like Heather Fly, main difference being the blood-red thighs of Heather fly. The little relative is Black Gnat. All are nectar sippers, hence the names of the big lads. Black Gnat appears to be very fond of sycamore blossom, and is often found in the company of green flies.
The males have bigger eyes, heads and chests than the ladies, but the ladies have much fatter bodies, cos they carry the eggs. TC