Header image
Enter a name
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 Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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 July 20, 2005

Updates from July 20, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from the Rush River in Wisconsin

The Rush River in Wisconsin
This flat on a slow, fertile spring creek held hundreds of trout.

From the Rush River at Little Whiskey in Wisconsin
The Rush River at Little Whiskey in Wisconsin
The Rush River at Little Whiskey in Wisconsin
The Rush River at Little Whiskey in Wisconsin

On-stream insect photos by Troutnut from the Rush River in Wisconsin

Spider webs are nature's hatch charts.  They often tell you what's been hatching recently.  This one reveals a Trico hatch.

From the Rush River in Wisconsin

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Flathead River in Montana

Lepidoptera (Moth) Insect Adult from the Flathead River-lower in Montana
I have been told this is the only western aquatic moth, Petrophila confusalis, see here on milkweed blossoms.

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
9
Jun 28, 2007
by Troutnut
12
Jul 31, 2016
by Jmd123

References

Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy