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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.

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.
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Ephemerella excrucians (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Ruler view of a Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Lateral view of a Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

This mayfly was collected from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington on June 13th, 2019 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on June 14th, 2019.


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Ephemerella excrucians (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: South Fork Snoqualmie River, Washington
Date: June 13th, 2019
Added to site: June 14th, 2019
Author: Troutnut
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