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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 Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.
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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Backswimmers

Like most common names,"Backswimmer" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 1 specimen. For more detail click through to the scientific names.

True Bug Family Notonectidae

These are pretty much always called Backswimmers.
Backswimmers are often important to trout, especially in ponds. They're one of the insects which usually doesn't factor into a fly angler's decisions at all, but it pays to be aware of them because in just-so situations the trout eat nothing else.

Be careful handling them--they have a painful bite.
The specimen is right-side-up, but dead, in this picture.  The isopropyl alcohol I used to kill it also immediately discolored it.

Dorsal view of a Notonectidae (Backswimmer) True Bug Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

Backswimmer Species Notonecta indica

These are very rarely called Backswimmers.

Backswimmers

Scientific Names
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