Header image
Enter a name
Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Updates from April 23, 2022

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Yakima River in Washington

Just a little break from elk hunting

By Troutnut on September 28th, 2021
After a few days of tiring legwork and mild frustration with the elk, I paused my cow elk hunt for one morning to recharge my batteries with some light trout fishing. I caught quite a few mid-sized cutthroat in a few hours of moderate action, then drove back to the elk woods to pack camp into a new spot in the evening.

Photos by Troutnut from the Greys River in Wyoming

The Greys River in Wyoming
The Greys River in Wyoming
Pretty specimen of the Snake River Fine-spotted Cutthroat Trout

From the Greys River in Wyoming
The Greys River in Wyoming

Exploring some new water on the Henry's Fork of the Snake

By Troutnut on September 24th, 2021
On the way to my first elk hunt in Wyoming, I planned a morning stopover along the Henry's Fork of the Snake. I figured there wouldn't be much hatch activity, and I wanted to try something new anyway, so I skipped the famous Harriman Ranch section where I normally fish (and collect bugs), and I explored some new water farther downstream, in a place that took some hiking to reach. I brought rods to fish streamers and nymphs, and both were effective.

Photos by Troutnut from the Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho

Mesa Falls

From the Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Idaho

Updates from September 5, 2021

Photos by Troutnut from the Bitterroot River in Montana

Photo by Les Korcala

From the Bitterroot River in Montana
The Bitterroot River in Montana

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Bitterroot River in Montana

14
Male Ecdyonurus criddlei (Little Slate-Winged Dun) Mayfly Spinner
Lateral view of a Male Ecdyonurus criddlei (Heptageniidae) (Little Slate-Winged Dun) Mayfly Spinner from the Bitterroot River in Montana

Updates from September 4, 2021

Photos by Troutnut from the Madison River in Montana

The Madison River in Montana
The Madison River in Montana

References

  • Needham, James G., Jay R. Traver, and Yin-Chi Hsu. 1935. The Biology of Mayflies. Comstock Publishing Company, Inc.
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy