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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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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Updates from August 27, 2005

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Fall Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Argia (Coenagrionidae) Damselfly Nymph from Fall Creek in New York
My friend Willy captured this early instar damselfly nymph and brought it to me for identification. It is more robust and stocky at this early stage than the spindly appearance of the later instars, and its appearance is less familiar.

Updates from August 26, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from the Beaverkill River in New York

This mighty trout stream was reduced to a trickle during the terrible drought this August.  It ran crystal-clear and even though I could sight-fish to the trout they were beyond my skill to catch.  I did well to briefly hook just one nice fish.

From the Beaverkill River in New York

Updates from August 25, 2005

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the St. Regis River in Montana

Timpanoga hecuba (Ephemerellidae) (Great Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the St. Regis River in Montana

Updates from August 15, 2005

Photos by Troutnut

A small, old rock wing dam has created an excellent riffle and pool in this classic trout stream.

Updates from August 14, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from the Bois Brule River and in Wisconsin and

This colorful brown was my dad's first nice trout on a dry fly.  It was also the best of the day, taken with a nice cast after doing some slightly crazy wading through silt and deep water to get into position.

From the Bois Brule River in Wisconsin
This incredibly expensive estate holds most of the land on a prime upper stretch of one of the midwest's best trout streams, and it's the envy of hundreds of anglers who float by it every summer.
Some mergansers stretch and prepare to evacuate their rock as our canoe nears.
Several mergansers leave their rock in a mess.
I photographed this cedar waxwing from the canoe as we passed by it.
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