Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Fruits of my labor.

A couple of years ago I released some large (Hex) mayflies that I gathered under the lights from some gas station pumps. They come from a stream located behind the station. I brought them to my pond and released them into the area. Hoping they would drop their eggs in the pond.

Early this morning, I found a Hex on the back door screen. The prevailing wind blows from the pond to the house and toward the gas station a couple of miles away , so I'm pretty sure it didn't come from the gas station stream. If I see more, I'll know my stocking attempt worked.

I didn't know much about Mayflies so I looked it up, I was surprised that there could be up to 500 Nymphs in a square foot of muck.

Ap,
Each mayfly lays hundreds of eggs. If my water was stable I'm sure I would have seen more. But seeing one, after two years is an accomplishment to me since they weren't there before.

Generally species that are found in streams are not found in ponds and vice versa. There are generalists that are adapted to both though, hopefully that is a species you found. They certainly make an excellent forage for smaller fish in the pond and trout.

You are correct. The Hex is a slack water deweller, and the largest of the mayflies. I gathered them at a location that has a steam running behind it. But now that I thick of it, the stream also has a still water pool just across the street, and a large lake a half mile away.

I spoted another Hex last night, again on the door screen. I'll not sure it was the same one, but I hope it wasn't.

I'm totally agree with you man....species that are found in streams are not found in ponds.....they certainly make an excellent forage for smaller fish in the pond and trout.