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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 Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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.

Updates from February 2, 2004

Updates from February 2, 2004

Photos by Troutnut

A large spring's short outlet enters the river here and keeps it open during even the deepest cold spells.

Underwater photos by Troutnut from Mystery Creek #19 in Wisconsin

This is my favorite picture of this school of brookies. Notice there are a few other fish mixed in, minnow family mostly. Near the bottom right there's a really big brookie. These trout were densely schooled up near a major spring source during the dead of winter.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
There are lots of brook trout here mixed in with a yellow perch at the bottom.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
This picture has a lot of common shiners in the mix with the school of small brook trout.
Light beams filter through a wavy surface.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
Here's the stream bottom of a newly renovated artificial channel created by the Wisconsin DNR to restore the natural flow of a small stream that had previously been diverted through a series of shallow, water-warming old private hatchery ponds.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
Here the trout are faded in the distance after rushing past me.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
Even in the winter there's some green weed growth at the bottom of a healthy trout stream.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
The Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin
This before-and-after-image-enhancement picture helps appreciate the trout's camouflage.

From the Mystery Creek # 19 in Wisconsin

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