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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.

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.
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Western Light Cahills

This common name refers to only one genus. Click its scientific name to learn more.

Mayfly Genus Cinygma

These are often called Western Light Cahills.
This uncommon Western genus is closely related to Cinygmula. It rarely provides good hatches.
Lateral view of a Male Cinygma dimicki (Heptageniidae) (Western Light Cahill) Mayfly Spinner from the Cedar River in Washington
I found a couple small (one or two dozen flies) clouds of these male spinners dancing low over the riffly parts of a pool in this fast river draining out of the Cascades.
Cinygma (Heptageniidae) (Western Light Cahill) Mayfly Nymph from Swamp Creek in Oregon

Western Light Cahills

Scientific Name
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