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

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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

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.

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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.

Female Ephemera varia (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun Pictures

This yellow drake dun hatched out of my aquarium over a month before her brethren in the wild are slated to emerge. She seems a bit small, and that might be the reason.

Lateral view of a Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun from Aquarium in New York

Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun from Aquarium in New York

Artistic view of a Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun from Aquarium in New York

Ruler view of a Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun from Aquarium in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This mayfly was collected from Aquarium in New York on May 13th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Dun

Beautiful yellow drake

Posted by GONZO on May 21, 2007

Last reply on May 21, 2007 by GONZO

This is a fine specimen of one of the prettiest mayflies, Jason. She is small compared to some limestone specimens, but well within range for the species. I've collected varia males as small as 12mm, but many of the limestone females are 19-20mm. I think premature hatching is to be expected in aquaria.

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