Troutnut: Fly Fishing and Hatch Knowledge, Photos, and Discussions : Blog, page 128

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.

This is one of the many shallow, unnamed lakes in the Arctic coastal plain near the Dalton Highway.

From Dalton Highway in Alaska

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 Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Columbia River in Washington

7 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.

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 81

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 82

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/jasonn5/func/urls.fnc on line 83

Error: Problem with location id=0.
getVideosHTML <— getFrontPageHTML <— printPageBody <— cc_printPageFromTemplate

Updates from February 1, 2004

Videos by Troutnut from in

Leptophlebia Nymph

In angling books, Leptophlebia mayfly nymphs have a reputation as poor swimmers. In reality, they're very adept swimmers, much moreso than most other mayfly nymphs categorized as "crawlers."

Featuring: Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

Shot on Feb 1, 2004

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Underwater photos by Troutnut

I took this picture of the underside of a large slab of ice in a northern Wisconsin river in early February. I got cold.

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin in Wisconsin

2
Centrarchidae (Sunfish and Bass) Fish Adult

Lateral view of a Centrarchidae (Sunfish and Bass) Fish Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris

2
Limnophila True Fly Larva

Dorsal view of a Limnophila (Limoniidae) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

Updates from January 30, 2004

Videos by Troutnut from and Miscellaneous Wisconsin in and Wisconsin

Swimming Baetisca Mayfly Nymph

The clumsy-looking mayfly nymphs of the genus Baetisca are surprisingly good swimmers.

Featuring: Baetisca Mayfly Nymph

Shot on Jan 30, 2004

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Water Boatman Rowing

Water boatmen are excellent swimmers, and you can see here how they use their oars to push themselves through the water, a motion easily imitated by the fly fisher.

Featuring: Corixidae True Bug Adult

Shot on Jan 30, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Damselfly Nymph on the Prowl

Damselfly nymphs are among the most effective invertebrate predators in freshwater. You have to see one in motion to get a feel for their slow, deliberate style of stalking.

Featuring: Calopteryx Damselfly Nymph

Shot on Jan 30, 2004

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin and the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

3
Caecidotea (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult

Dorsal view of a Caecidotea (Asellidae) (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Gomphidae Dragonfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Gomphidae Dragonfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

4
Amphipoda (Scud) Arthropod Adult

Lateral view of a Amphipoda (Scud) Arthropod Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

4
Cambaridae Crayfish Adult

Dorsal view of a Cambaridae Crayfish Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Larva

Dorsal view of a Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Corixidae (Water Boatman) True Bug Adult

Lateral view of a Corixidae (Water Boatman) True Bug Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Coleoptera (Beetle) Insect Adult

Dorsal view of a Coleoptera (Beetle) Insect Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

You wouldn't know to look at it, but this is an aquatic beetle and it's in water in the photographs.

4
Calopteryx Damselfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Calopteryx (Calopterygidae) Damselfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Corixidae (Water Boatman) True Bug Adult

3
Platycentropus (Chocolate and Cream Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Platycentropus (Limnephilidae) (Chocolate and Cream Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Limnephilus (Limnephilidae) (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Siphloplecton basale (Pseudo-Gray Drake) Mayfly Nymph

Siphloplecton basale (Metretopodidae) (Pseudo-Gray Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

This one's stunned or freshly dead in the pictures, because the water in my photographing tank was a bit too warm for him after being under the bright light for a while.

3
Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph

Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

4
Ephemerella invaria (Sulphur) Mayfly Nymph

Ephemerella invaria (Ephemerellidae) (Sulphur) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

6
Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph

Ephemera simulans (Ephemeridae) (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

6
Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph

5
Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph

10
Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph

1
Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

Common Shiner Luxilus cornutus

3
Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

Sand Shiner Notripis stramineus

3
Amphipoda (Scud) Arthropod Adult

3
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva

Lateral view of a Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva

1
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva

2
Clitelatta-Oligochaeta (Worm) Animal Adult

Clitelatta-Oligochaeta (Worm) Animal Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

What a strange worm... half red, half black.

2
Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva

Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

5
Eurylophella (Chocolate Dun) Mayfly Nymph

Eurylophella (Ephemerellidae) (Chocolate Dun) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Ephemerella invaria (Sulphur) Mayfly Nymph

4
Eurylophella (Chocolate Dun) Mayfly Nymph

Close examination under a microscope easily showed abdominal tubercles.

2
Ephemerellidae (Hendricksons, Sulphurs, PMDs, BWOs) Mayfly Nymph

Ephemerellidae (Hendricksons, Sulphurs, PMDs, BWOs) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

Close examination of this specimen under a microscope reveals that it has small rounded tubercles on the tergites and the tails are uniformly covered with short black hairs. Looking at this specimen a while later, my early observations were probably not relevant because it was such as small early instar mayfly that its identifying characteristics were not fully developed.

3
Caenis (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph

Caenis (Caenidae) (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

This interesting little Caenis nymph is way darker than any of the others I collected in January 2004, probably a different species. It also has shorter tails.

3
Caenis (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph

I confirmed the identity of this nymph by looking at it under a microscope to be certain of the shape of its gills and head.

2
Caenis (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph

I confirmed the identity of this nymph by looking at it under a microscope to be certain of the shape of its gills and head.

4
Caenis (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph

I confirmed the identity of this nymph by looking at it under a microscope to be certain of the shape of its gills and head.

2
Caenis (Angler's Curse) Mayfly Nymph

I confirmed the identity of this nymph by looking at it under a microscope to be certain of the shape of its gills and head.

2
Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph

Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

Here's a rather different tiny Baetid nymph. The tails are all unbanded, and the tergites all have a dark-colored anterior 2/3 and light-colored posterior 1/3. The gill veinlets are indistinct. It's probably a very early instar of some Baetis species.

3
Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph

This is the only Baetis nymph I found in my January 31st (read: not sane) sampling in 2004. I looked at this one under my small microscope and wrote down some useful identification features which aren't really visible in the pictures from my camera. This nymph had conspicuous gill veinlets, a pointed, slender 7th gill, tail bands on the middle and tip, and abdominal segments 5, 9, and 10 are definitely pale, with segment 8 in-between, debatably pale.

Add your comment

Updates from January 18, 2004

Videos by Troutnut from in

Isonychia nymph swimming around

These nymphs may be the best swimmers of all North American mayflies.

Featuring: Isonychia bicolor Mayfly Nymph

Shot on Jan 18, 2004

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin and the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Stenonema luteum Mayfly Nymph

4 Pictures

Stenonema luteum (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

Collected January 18, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected January 18, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Stenonema modestum (Cream Cahill) Mayfly Nymph

4 Pictures

Stenonema modestum (Heptageniidae) (Cream Cahill) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

Collected January 18, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected January 18, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Isonychia bicolor (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph

2 Pictures

Isonychia bicolor (Isonychiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Collected January 18, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected January 18, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Add your comment

Updates from January 13, 2004

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin and the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

3
Atherix (Watersnipe Fly) True Fly Larva

Lateral view of a Atherix (Athericidae) (Watersnipe Fly) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva

Dorsal view of a Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

5
Nigronia serricornis (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva

Dorsal view of a Nigronia serricornis (Corydalidae) (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Gomphidae Dragonfly Nymph

4
Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Larva

Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Pupa

Dorsal view of a Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Pupa from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Chironomidae (Midge) True Fly Larva

4
Hydropsychidae Caddisfly Larva

Hydropsychidae Caddisfly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

4
Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

2
Stenonema (March Browns and Cahills) Mayfly Nymph

Stenonema (Heptageniidae) (March Browns and Cahills) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Stenonema vicarium (March Brown) Mayfly Nymph

Stenonema vicarium (Heptageniidae) (March Brown) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Isonychia bicolor (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph

These three Isonychia nymphs show the variety within the species from a single day at a single collection site.

2
Isonychia bicolor (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph

Isonychia bicolor (Isonychiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

5
Baetisca laurentina (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

The angle of this picture shows the characteristic frontal process of B. laurentina: it is well developed but does not extend beyond the anterior margin of the head. In the angle most convenient, and the angle of most of the top-view pictures above, it looks like it extends beyond the head. The angle of this picture tells the truth.

Baetisca laurentina (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

2
Gomphidae Dragonfly Nymph

3
Stenonema (March Browns and Cahills) Mayfly Nymph

4
Baetisca laurentina (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

Baetisca laurentina (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

3
Baetisca laurentina (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

4
Baetisca (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

Baetisca (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

This very small, early instar specimen has some interesting markings, but it's too underdeveloped to identify.

4
Baetisca (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

I'm unsure which species this is: it lacks the usual features of B. laurentina, but it's small, so maybe it's just an underdeveloped early instar. Otherwise, it looks like it might be B. obesa.

4
Baetisca (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph

Here you can see the frontal projection on the head is not very well-developed.

Baetisca (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

I've only got blurry pictures of this small Baetisca nymph, because it was zooming around the container in a frenzy. Several characteristics, if taken literally, suggest that it may be Baetisca lacustris. However, it's very small and it's the only candidate lacustris I collected among several laurentina specimens, so it's possible this is just an underdeveloped early instar laurentina.

Add your comment

Updates from January 12, 2004

Videos by Troutnut from and the Marengo River in and Wisconsin

Dragonfly Nymph Scooting Around

Dragonfly nymphs propel themselves through the water with a miniature jet engine, taking water in below their mouths and shooting it out their back ends. You can see the ripples from the jet out this one's back in this video.

Featuring: Gomphidae Dragonfly Nymph

Shot on Jan 12, 2004

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Ephemera 1