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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 Zapada cinctipes (Nemouridae) (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.
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.

Updates from July 26, 2006

Photos by Troutnut from Enfield Creek in New York

I caught one little rainbow in the plunge pool below this pretty waterfall.

From Enfield Creek in New York

Updates from July 22, 2006

Photos by Troutnut from Enfield Creek in New York

Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
The pool between these two waterfalls is one of the prettiest places I've ever had my fly refused by a small trout.

From Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Two garter snakes rest on the warm rocks alongside a path through a trout stream gorge.

From Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York
Enfield Creek in New York

Updates from July 6, 2006

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Cayuta Creek in New York

Lateral view of a Isoperla (Perlodidae) (Stripetails and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Adult from Cayuta Creek in New York
Several stoneflies of this species were flying around a small stream last night. I tied on a brown drake imitation of about the right size/color to approximate these stones, and was rewarded with a hard-fighting 17-inch brown trout.
Lateral view of a Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Spinner from Cayuta Creek in New York
I found this female spinner ovipositing in a small stream. She came along while I was playing a trout -- every good bug seemed to do that last night! I didn't have my bug net, so I caught the trout in my landing net, released the trout, and caught the mayfly in my landing net. Her wing got a bit messed up from that.

Updates from June 21, 2006

Photos by Troutnut

A small spring creek in Wisconsin. A little brook trout stream tumbles over boulders
Spring Creek in Wisconsin
Spring Creek in Wisconsin
This huge pile of stones was deposited alongside a very small brook trout stream in a huge flood about 9 months before this photo was taken.

From Spring Creek in Wisconsin
Spring Creek in Wisconsin
Spring Creek in Wisconsin
Spring Creek in Wisconsin

Underwater photos by Troutnut from Spring Creek in Wisconsin

Above and below a small brook trout stream.

From Spring Creek in Wisconsin
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
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
Spring Creek in Wisconsin
Spring Creek in Wisconsin

References

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