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.

Barnes Creek in Washington

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)
Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly AdultFemale 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.
15 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.

Freshwater Invertebrate Underwater Pictures, Page 2

Freshwater Invertebrate Underwater Pictures, Page 2

Underwater photos of freshwater invertebrates in their natural habitat.

Mongaup Creek in New York
There's a large Ephemerella subvaria nymph in the top left.
Eighteenmile Creek in Wisconsin
A wide variety of caddis larvae and other insects have clustered together on the backside of this rock in fast water. From Cayuta Creek in New York
The white blotches on this rock are Leucotrichia caddisfly cases, and the wispy tubes are cases made by a type of midge.
These are glossosomatids, Jason. They are probably Glossosoma nigrior, though it is possible that we are looking at mixed species. The ones to the right with their aggregate of similar sized grains are classic Glossosoma, while the ones to the left with the large anchor pebbles could possibly be Agapetus. Regardless, they're all commonly referred to as saddle case makers. From Spring Creek in Wisconsin
I lifted a rock in pursuit of a stonefly nymph that had scurried beneath it, and instead I found this Ephemera simulans burrowing mayfly nymph waiting to be photographed.
Several fast-swimming Siphlonurus nymphs blend in very well with the silt in this slow backwater along a trout stream.
The large caddisfly case (really less than 1/2 inch) is a Brachycentridae larva. The other cases are actually the protective sheaths of black fly (Simuliidae) pupae. The two antler-like pieces sticking out of each one are not legs, but antennal sheaths. From Spring Creek in Wisconsin
There's a very well-camouflaged Baetisca laurentina mayfly nymph resting on the twig in the bottom left corner of this picture. Can you spot him?
A water boatman and a scud are visible in this picture. Can you find them?
Three big Ephemerella subvaria mayfly nymphs share a rock with some cased caddis larvae.
This Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) nymph picture is one of my favorites.
Some large Ephemerella mayfly nymphs cling to a log. In the background, hundreds of Simuliidae black fly larvae swing in large clusters in the current.
There's a stonefly nymph in the bottom right corner of this picture, but what's really interesting is those white blotches. They're pretty common in my Wisconsin home river river, stuck flat onto the rocks--lots of rocks have a speckled look as a result. They are microcaddis cases, made by larvae of the caddisfly family Hydroptilidae. These are made by larvae of the subfamily Leucotrichiinae, most likely the genus Leucotrichia. They spin little flat oval cases of silk tight and immobile against the rocks.
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy