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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.

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

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 March 1, 2004

Updates from March 1, 2004

Videos by Troutnut from the Marengo River and Miscellaneous Wisconsin in Wisconsin

Another Hexagenia

Featuring: Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

Shot on Mar 1, 2004 from Marengo River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 31, 2006

Two Phryganeidae caddis larvae fighting over a case

Caddisfly larvae of this family can easily leave and re-enters their cases. I caught two of them playing musical chairs or something with this one... funny!

Featuring: Phryganeidae Caddisfly Larva

Shot on Mar 1, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 31, 2006

Photos by Troutnut from the Marengo River and the West Fork of the Chippewa River in Wisconsin

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin and the West Fork of the Chippewa River in Wisconsin

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Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

5
Limnephilidae Caddisfly Larva

5
Phryganeidae Caddisfly Larva

This "specimen" is actually two caddis larvae fighting each other over a case. The case is a hollow tube; one larva would go in the back end, presumably bite the other, and chase it out. The invader crawled forward into the case while the other one fled, and then it went around to the back and bit the first one. They did this several times, and I recorded it on video.

5
Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

4
Simuliidae True Fly Larva

4
Cordulegaster Dragonfly Nymph

4
Chimarra Caddisfly Larva

4
Hagenius brevistylus Dragonfly Nymph

4
Siphloplecton basale Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments.

4
Siphloplecton basale Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments.

4
Ephemera simulans Mayfly Nymph

4
Limnephilidae Caddisfly Larva

4
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

4
Taeniopteryx Stonefly Nymph

4
Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

4
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

4
Molanna Caddisfly Larva

3
Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

3
Clitellata-Hirudinae Animal Adult

3
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

3
Onocosmoecus unicolor Caddisfly Larva

3
Sialis Alderfly Larva

4
Siphloplecton basale Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments.

3
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

3
Ephemera simulans Mayfly Nymph

3
Baetisca laurentina Mayfly Nymph

I took a few group picture of a bunch of Baetisca laurentina nymphs to show the degree of individual variation in size, color, and shape that can occur within the same species in the same pool of the same river. This variation is one important reason why trout are forgiving of some small degree of variation in our imitations--the naturals themselves vary, too.

3
Ephemera simulans Mayfly Nymph

3
Siphloplecton basale Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments.

3
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

3
Stenonema vicarium Mayfly Nymph

3
Stenonema vicarium Mayfly Nymph

3
Siphloplecton basale Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments.

3
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

3
Stenonema Mayfly Nymph

3
Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

2
Calopteryx Damselfly Nymph

2
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

2
Calopteryx Damselfly Nymph

3
Siphloplecton Mayfly Nymph

This nymph has double front tarsal claws and double gills on the first three abdominal segments. This one has a distinct dorsal stripe.

2
Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

2
Tipulidae True Fly Larva

2
Leptophlebia cupida Mayfly Nymph

2
Stenonema vicarium Mayfly Nymph

2
Baetidae Mayfly Nymph

2
Ephemera simulans Mayfly Nymph

Here's an unusually small early instar nymph.

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