Header image
Enter a name
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.
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.

Springtails

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

Arthropod Class Collembola

These are pretty much always called Springtails.
Collembola are actually a subclass of a class called Entognatha. They are the most common of the only six-legged arthropods (Hexapods) that aren't insects. Many Collembolans are terrestrial, but some live on the surface of their water, and they can be a supplemental food source for trout, especially young-of-the-year trout.

They rarely grow longer than 6mm or occur in trout streams in such numbers that an imitation with a fly is warranted, but they are interesting creatures.

Springtails

Scientific Name
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy