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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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 Ephemerella excrucians (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun Pictures

Although there is no key to female duns, I'm calling this dun Ephemerella excrucians because I collected several mature nymphs of that species on the same trip.

Lateral view of a Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington
Artistic view of a Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington
Ruler view of a Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Dorsal view of a Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington
Ventral view of a Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington
Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington
Female Ephemerella excrucians (Ephemerellidae) (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington

This mayfly was collected from Mystery Creek #249 in Washington on July 4th, 2020 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 12th, 2020.


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Female Ephemerella excrucians (Pale Morning Dun) Mayfly Dun Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mystery Creek #249, Washington
Date: July 4th, 2020
Added to site: July 12th, 2020
Author: Troutnut
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