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Telliedog · #1 04-03-2006, 11:11 AM

I have a chance to use a friends slip in Essex during July but I am trying to figure out when the greenheads will be out. I know a few things: there is a July hatch and and August hatch; the July hatch is typically worse than the August hatch; and a flood tide washes out the eggs and the population quickly dwindles.

Soooo.....if the flood tides this year are on 7/13 and 8/11, what weeks will be peak greenhead season?

Thanks!

fleshfly · #2 04-03-2006, 11:48 AM

Lucky you about the slip. I have no clue on the dates, but I wouldn't plan or not plan a fishing trip becuase of them..I think the Greenheads are over rated. They are more of a nuisance if your suntanning on cranes or just hanging out drinking some beer in the estuaries, and a stationary target. The wind helps keep them off the water it seems. As for bugs in the essex area I find the mosquitos or "no see ums" more of a pain during fishing, than the Green heads.

gf2020 · #3 04-03-2006, 12:43 PM

The old timers will tell you that they are at their worst from the full moon in July until the full moon in August.

The GAFFMAN · #4 04-03-2006, 12:57 PM

I have only had some issues with them in July but August seems worse to me, not a problem if your boating, throttle-up head away from shore to fish!

Worse places I had problems:
Plum Island on the beach August, Had to leave for blood bank!

Cranes Beach on the beach August

Telliedog · #5 04-03-2006, 01:44 PM

Last year, the full moon was around July 21st but the greenhead season was in full swing on July 10th - according to a search for posts on this board. While last sesaon was bad (or good from the fly's perspective) I think it must be the worst leading up to the July full moon but it likely depends on when the full moon and general weather conditions leading up to it. There aren't as many posts after that.

MarkG · #6 04-04-2006, 05:00 AM

I've been on a slip in the Parker River for 17 years, and have come to accept that the entire month of July is now prime greenhead season above Ipswich Bay and middleground. What was originally a 3 week period now stretches to 4-5, and the sunnier the day, the worse they are. Skin-so-soft lotion helps, but nothing eliminates them....be prepared!

Onshore · #7 04-04-2006, 08:13 AM

Greenies ! I knew there was something missing when I moved down here.

DaleH · #8 04-04-2006, 10:13 AM

Historically, the last two weeks of July or the last week July/first week of August has always been prime time. With the full moon early in July this year (10Jul), I'd stay away from the last week July on.

But that said, they do first appear pretty much around the 4th of July weekend, so they'll be out. Pray for delluge of rain on a mid-day low tide, to wash the eggs down off the marsh into the water where they'll drown ...