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.

Stream photos

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Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Columbia River in Washington

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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.

Dark Gordon Quills

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

Mayfly Species Epeorus pleuralis

These are very rarely called Dark Gordon Quills.

This is the first really good dry-fly opportunity of the season for most Eastern anglers. They are large mayflies and they have good points of vulnerability both underwater and on the surface.

Male Epeorus pleuralis (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Dun

9 Pictures

Lateral view of a Male Epeorus pleuralis (Heptageniidae) (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

I kept this specimen after photographing it and it molted into a spinner in perfect condition, which I photographed here.

Collected April 29, 2007 from Dresserville Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 3, 2007

Collected April 29, 2007 from Dresserville Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on May 3, 2007

Male Epeorus pleuralis (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Spinner

10 Pictures

Lateral view of a Male Epeorus pleuralis (Heptageniidae) (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Spinner from Mongaup Creek in New York

I spent most of the day looking for Epeorus pluralis duns or spinners without any luck on the major Catskill rivers. Finally in the evening I arrived at a small stream somebody had recommended, and when I got out of the car I was happy to find that I had parked in the middle of a cloud of male spinners.

Collected April 18, 2006 from Mongaup Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on April 22, 2006

Collected April 18, 2006 from Mongaup Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on April 22, 2006

Epeorus pleuralis (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Nymph

4 Pictures

Dorsal view of a Epeorus pleuralis (Heptageniidae) (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

This Epeorus pluralis dun is recently deceased in these photos. I decided not to photograph several lively, less mature nymphs. This one was ready to hatch, as indicated by the black wing pads. I believe it had not been dead long enough to lose its natural coloration.

Collected April 18, 2006 from Mongaup Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on April 21, 2006

Collected April 18, 2006 from Mongaup Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on April 21, 2006

See 5 more specimens...