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.

Stream photos

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Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.

11 Recently Added Photos

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.

Animal Phylum Chordata (Vertebrates)

Though most trout feed mostly on invertebrates, a few vertebrates do come their way. Baitfish, of course, are the most common, but mice, frogs, and salamanders all may supplement the diet of a lucky trophy-sized trout.

Specimens of Vertebrates:

5 Adults

Cottidae (Sculpin) Fish Adult

7 Pictures

This seems to be a mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi. Normally this species is more mottled.

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mongaup Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mongaup Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae

Collected February 6, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected February 6, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae

Collected February 6, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected February 6, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Centrarchidae (Sunfish and Bass) Fish Adult

2 Pictures

Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris

Collected February 1, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected February 1, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Bluntnose Minnow
Pimephales notatus

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

4 Underwater Pictures of Vertebrates:

View Fullsize

This tiny sculpin is the size of a mid-sized mayfly nymph.

In this picture: Fish Order Cottidae (Sculpin).

Taken May 25, 2007 from Fishing Creek in Pennsylvania

Added by Troutnut on June 5, 2007

Taken May 25, 2007 from Fishing Creek in Pennsylvania and added by Troutnut on June 5, 2007

View Fullsize

I tried to photograph this salamander but it kept scurrying away from the camera. The rocks in this little backwater are covered with a thin layer of very easily disturbed silt, so anywhere I followed it I didn't have much time to photograph before the water was too turbid for a good shot. This is the best I got.

In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 7, 2006 from the East Branch of Trout Brook in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 4, 2006

Taken September 7, 2006 from the East Branch of Trout Brook in New York and added by Troutnut on October 4, 2006

View Fullsize

In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 5, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

Taken September 5, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York and added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

View Fullsize

I got a nice picture of the pool these salamander larvae inhabit a few weeks later.

In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 5, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

Taken September 5, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York and added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

Discussions of Chordata

fishin with salamanders

6 replies

Posted by Warren on Sep 3, 2007 in the order Caudata

Last reply on Sep 16, 2007 by Warren

the trout here in the smokies love the little black salamanders. i find alot of them in the stomachs of the little native brookies we have around here. when ever im bait fishing(Lord, forgive me of my sins)i always look for a salamander to put on my hook because they do catch fish. im hoping to get away from that, but i havent succeeded in tying a fly that replicates one but i hope to figure it out or find an already existent pattern.