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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.

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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Gray Quills

This common name refers to only one species. Click its scientific name to learn more.

Mayfly Species Neoleptophlebia mollis

These are very rarely called Gray Quills.
This species often emerges together with Paraleptophlebia strigula and Paraleptophlebia guttata, and the combined effect can be a good fishable hatch. The latter two are much less famous than mollis, but Knopp and Cormier say they are more reliable.
Lateral view of a Male Neoleptophlebia mollis (Leptophlebiidae) (Jenny Spinner) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

References

Gray Quills

Scientific Name
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