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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 Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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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Female Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Dun Pictures

I'm guessing this one is Rhithrogena virilis based on collection of a male spinner of similar size and body configuration during the same trip.

Lateral view of a Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Dorsal view of a Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ventral view of a Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ruler view of a Female Rhithrogena virilis (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1/16".

This mayfly was collected from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington on June 16th, 2018 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on June 23rd, 2018.


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Female Rhithrogena virilis Mayfly Dun Pictures

Collection details
Location: South Fork Snoqualmie River, Washington
Date: June 16th, 2018
Added to site: June 23rd, 2018
Author: Troutnut
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