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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 Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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 March 26, 2010

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Male Rhithrogena (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Updates from March 12, 2010

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Updates from March 2, 2010

Photos by Softhackle from the Genesee River in New York

Original Watercolor

From the Genesee River in New York

Updates from December 31, 2009

Updates from December 18, 2009

Closeup insects by Bnewell from 6 Mile Creek and the Flathead River in Montana

Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from 6 mile Creek in Montana
This species resembles Drunella grandis but the spines tell the story.
Isocapnia integra (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Flathead River-upper in Montana
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