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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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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Great Gray Spotted Sedges

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

Caddisfly Genus Arctopsyche

These are often called Great Gray Spotted Sedges.
Arctopsyche grandis, the western species, is by far the most important in this genus. It produces excellent fishable hatches.
Lateral view of a Arctopsyche grandis (Hydropsychidae) (Great Gray Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the East Fork Big Lost River in Idaho
At first I had trouble believing this giant Hydropsychidae larva was actually a member of its family, because of the size. I had never seen such a thing. It turned out to be a member of this exceptionally large species with a fitting name, grandis.

Great Gray Spotted Sedges

Scientific Name
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