Header image
Enter a name
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 Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.

Baetisca laurentina (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Dorsal view of a Baetisca laurentina (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Lateral view of a Baetisca laurentina (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Ventral view of a Baetisca laurentina (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

This mayfly was collected from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin on June 8th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 26th, 2006.


Start a Discussion of Nymph

Baetisca laurentina (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Namekagon River, Wisconsin
Date: June 8th, 2005
Added to site: May 26th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy