HOW TO TIE AND FISH
DUMAINE’S “HEXAMUNGOUS” FLY

Selene A. Dumaine-Tier

Dumaine’s “Hexamungous” fly was developed to meet the demand of a good emergent Hexagenia imitation that could float well for extended periods of time. Real hex bugs were captured from Kimball Pond in Vienna, Maine including an adult fully emerged hex, as well as an emerging hex in the early stages of coming out of its shuck. The early stage emergent is what the Hexamungous is purposed to imitate. After storing the fly in a small bottle with rubbing alcohol it was studied for under body color, size, shape, and coloration patterns. Many other patterns exist for this fly, but none float as well nor match the shape as well as the Hexamungous.

How to fish the Hexamungous:

This special fly was created to imitate an emerging Hex, but the color of the fly may also be altered to imitate a green drake emerger. It is meant to hang on the surface of the water with the wood duck wing suspending the upper portion of the fly. Use a considerable amount of fly floatant on the wing section of the fly and it will float for a very long time. The fly fishes best when you tie it on just before you know that the hex hatch will begin on flat water, usually in the evening or very early morning. Enjoy fishing this great fly in mid summer when the hex hatch is best. 

How to tie the Hexamungous:

If you wish to tie this fly, all I ask is that it be tied as closely as possible to these directions without variations other than color to match you favorite hatch. As well, the name of the fly, “Hexamungous,” must go with the special fly pattern as well. 

Directions for tying:

Hook: Daiichi 1270 hook size 8

Tail: Long wood duck flank 

Back : Turkey tail 

Ribbing: white or light cream floss

Body: cream rabbit dubbing

Emergent Wing: Large unbarred wood duck feather (or dyed mallard)

Legs: turkey tail tips

Use a curved lightweight hook to match the size of your hatch. I highly recommend the Daiichi 1270 hook for this purpose. Tie on the tail, floss, and turkey back — in that order — to the end of the hook shank. Dub an amply plump tapered body on the back two thirds of the shank. Fold over the turkey tail feather portion and tie off. Then use the floss to create a segmented ribbed body. Pull together the tips of a wood duck feather that does not have barred markings, (the barred ones tend to be too thick on the tip section to cut and tie in well) and tie the tips facing the eye of the hook with the underside of the feather facing up. The pinch method of tying on materials works very well here. A dyed mallard feather will do just as well for the wing and is considerably less expensive to purchase. Next use a generous amount of dubbing for the front third of the fly that is left. Fold over the remaining wood duck feather to create a loop. Use the pinch method to tie it off. Add the legs with the small skinny under feathers that are found among the wood duck feathers or a small portion of the tips from a turkey tail feather. Another option is to use partridge pulled from the stem of the feather and tied on to represent the front two large legs of an emergent hex or green drake. The body color and hook size may be varied to match your local hatch or to match a green drake. The beauty of the fly is how well it floats and represents the real bug.

Happy tying and remember the name — Dumaine’s “Hexamungous,” the hex fly that catches humungous fish.

Selene Dumaine