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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

With a bit of help from the microscope, this specimen keys clearly and unsurprisingly to Hydropsyche.

9 Recently Added Photos

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 June 20, 2005

Photos by Troutnut

A porcupine climbs a pine tree near a trout stream.

I saw this porcupine cross the road behind me while I was watching from a bridge for some large trout I'd heard about. I ran back to the car for the camera and got quite close for a picture. Speed is not one of the noble porcupine's many virtues.

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Female Eurylophella (Chocolate Dun) Mayfly Spinner

4 Pictures

Lateral view of a Female Eurylophella (Ephemerellidae) (Chocolate Dun) Mayfly Spinner from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

I collected this uncooperative specimen as part of a small cloud of female spinners clustered tightly together high about 10 feet above the water, without any males that I could see.

Collected June 20, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on May 26, 2006

Collected June 20, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on May 26, 2006