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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.

Dorsal view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
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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Caddisfly Species Hydatophylax argus (Giant Cream Pattern-Wing Sedges)

This is an especially large species, with pupae and adults up to hook size 2.

Where & when

Time of year : June through fall

Preferred waters: Small streams

In 53 records from GBIF, adults of this species have mostly been collected during June (55%), May (21%), and July (19%).

In 13 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 627 to 2740 ft, with an average (median) of 2008 ft.

Species Range

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Morning

Gary LaFontaine reports in Caddisflies that his trout stomach samples held many Hydatophylax argus pupae during their emergence in the East.

Specimens of the Caddisfly Species Hydatophylax argus

1 Female Adult

Start a Discussion of Hydatophylax argus

References

Caddisfly Species Hydatophylax argus (Giant Cream Pattern-Wing Sedges)

Taxonomy
Species Range
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