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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.

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.
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 May 23, 2007

Updates from May 22, 2007

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous New York, the Neversink River, and the Little Juniata River in New York and Pennsylvania

Lateral view of a Female Baetisca obesa (Baetiscidae) (Armored Mayfly) Mayfly Dun from the Neversink River (aquarium-raised) in New York
This Baetisca obesa dun hatched out in my aquarium from nymphs collected a couple weeks earlier.
Lateral view of a Female Stenonema ithaca (Heptageniidae) (Light Cahill) Mayfly Dun from the Little Juniata River in Pennsylvania
This female looks very much like a male I collected a few hundred miles away a few days later, so I'm guessing it's the same species, which I believe is Maccaffertium mediopunctatum.

Updates from May 19, 2007

Photos by Troutnut from the Neversink River and Wolf Brook in New York

Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
You've really got to see this one full-size to enjoy it.  It's my first attempt at a 360 degree panorama stitched together with the latest and greatest version of Adobe Photoshop.

From the Neversink River in New York
Wolf Brook (Neversink Gorge) in New York
Wolf Brook (Neversink Gorge) in New York
Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
Wolf Brook (Neversink Gorge) in New York
Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York
Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York
The Neversink River Gorge in New York

Underwater photos by Troutnut from the Neversink River in New York

Hundreds of tiny toad tadpoles.

From the Neversink River Gorge in New York

On-stream insect photos by Troutnut from the Neversink River in New York

This Ephemerella invaria sulphur dun got stuck in its shuck trying to emerge.  This isn't exactly a "natural" pose for a photograph, but it kind of shows what an emerger pattern could look like.

From the Neversink River in New York
I saw something strange flying around near the streambank, fluttering on and off the water's surface, so I went to check it out.  I didn't recognize the wing profile in flight, and it's no surprise!  These two caddisflies were joined mating, and they were very reluctant to let go.

From the Neversink River in New York
The underside of a freshly emerged Ephemerella invaria dun.

From the Neversink River in New York

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Neversink River in New York

Lateral view of a Female Stenonema vicarium (Heptageniidae) (March Brown) Mayfly Dun from the Neversink River in New York
Here's a classic March Brown dun from the Catskills.

Updates from May 16, 2007

Photos by Troutnut from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

The West Branch of the Delaware River in New York
The West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Updates from May 14, 2007

Photos by Troutnut from Mystery Creek #62 and Enfield Creek in New York

Mystery Creek # 62 in New York
Enfield Creek in Treman Park in New York
Enfield Creek in Treman Park in New York
Enfield Creek in Treman Park in New York

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the West Branch of the Delaware River, Enfield Creek, and Mystery Creek #62 in New York

References

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