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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.

Lateral view of a Onocosmoecus (Limnephilidae) (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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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Updates from March 15, 2004

Updates from March 15, 2004

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Dorsal view of a Female Strophopteryx fasciata (Taeniopterygidae) (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Adult from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
Dorsal view of a Female Strophopteryx fasciata (Taeniopterygidae) (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Adult from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
Ruler view of a Male Strophopteryx fasciata (Taeniopterygidae) (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Adult from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin The smallest ruler marks are 1/32".
This male died overnight before I had the chance to photograph him, so his abdomen is shorter than it should be because it shriveled a bit.

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