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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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 June 11, 2007

Updates from June 11, 2007

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Flathead River and Rock Creek in Montana

Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Flathead River-lower in Montana
This genus can get incredibly abundant especially below dams.This specimen shows the two sclerotized bars needed to identify it to genus. These usually curl up like this one when preserved.
Ephemerella (Ephemerellidae) (Hendricksons, Sulphurs, PMDs) Mayfly Nymph from Rock Creek in Montana
Ephemerella is a very common genus of mayfly in Montana but nymphs are difficult to identify to species.

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