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.

I spent more than an hour casting to several rising trout in this pool and caught only two. Its clear water and tricky currents harbor dozens of free-rising, usually very hard-to-catch fish.

From Enfield Creek in New York

Stream photos

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

Psychodidae True Fly Larva Psychodidae True Fly Larva

Lateral view of a Psychodidae True Fly Larva from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This wild-looking little thing completely puzzled me. At first I was thinking beetle or month larva, until I got a look at the pictures on the computer screen. I made a couple of incorrect guesses before entomologist Greg Courtney pointed me in the right direction with Psychodidae. He suggested a possible genus of Thornburghiella, but could not rule out some other members of the tribe Pericomini.

8 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.

Pteronarcys proteus (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Ventral view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Ruler view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

Artistic view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

This stonefly was collected from Mongaup Creek in New York on April 19th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 21st, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

Correction

Posted by GONZO on Oct 28, 2008

Last reply on Oct 28, 2008 by GONZO

Probably proteus--my bad.

Probably Pteronarcys biloba

2 replies

Posted by GONZO on Oct 4, 2006

Last reply on Oct 4, 2006 by GONZO

Everything seems consistent with P. biloba, the "Knobbed Salmonfly." Unlike dorsata, it is usually found in small streams and headwaters where it is a real mouthful for the little trout. Typical salmonfly nymph ties tend to be likewise, so I usually choose to imitate the younger, smaller generations of nymphs.

Start a Discussion of Nymph