[VFB] Still water spinner fall question

[Kevin W. Machon]

Hi, all:

I was able to sneak out after work yesterday to catch a few bluegills and 
experienced a spinnerfall like I'd never seen in still water.  I was hoping 
someone could help with identifying the bug.

These were big mayflies.  The bodies were about an inch long, with what 
appeared to be 2, not 3 tails.  Total length was 2-2.5 inches, I'd guess.  I 
tried to grab a specimin to verify this, but they were only over the water 
and I almost ended up in the pond so ended that pursuit.  The color was tan 
to light-brown.  I got to the pond about 6 pm on a 70 degree day and there 
were a few over the water around the shoreline but very few in the water.  
The number over the water increased over the next hour until it reached the 
biggest concentration about sundown.  I noticed the bugs were concentrated 
in areas with rubble shoreline and other shoreline cover - trees, bushes, 
grass, etc.  Right after sundown the bugs went about their reproductive 
duties and I noticed a growing number of spent bugs on the water.

Obviously, the bluegills, crappies and even bass in the pond were enjoying 
this.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any adult insect imitations with me, but 
the bugs seemes to bring the fish toward the surface later in the evening 
and a bugger stripped a foot or so beneath the surface yielded some nice 
bluegills.

Any idea what these might be in a warmwater pond in Missouri in April?

Much appreciated,

Kev

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