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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 Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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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Taeniopteryx (Early Black Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

This stonefly was collected from unknown in Wisconsin on March 1st, 2004 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on January 25th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

eastern early blacks
8 replies
Posted by Ljnbass on Jan 13, 2010
Last reply on Jan 19, 2010 by Softhackle
Hello,

Just found this web site and have to say this is the most informative and detailed one I've found.
I live in PA and fish the Little Juniata. I never seem to hit the early black stoneflies. When is the best time for them? And after looking at these photos I believe my pattern ain't what it should be. I know these photos are from a sample out west but are they similar to our eastern blacks?

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References

Taeniopteryx (Early Black Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: unknown, Wisconsin
Date: March 1st, 2004
Added to site: January 25th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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