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.

Stream photos

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Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.

11 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.

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Updates from August 2, 2011

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Male Claassenia sabulosa (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult

2 Pictures

Male Claassenia sabulosa (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from the Touchet River in Washington

The males have these abbreviated wings. I doubt they can fly but they can run faster than any stonefly I have seen. The also have an interesting habit of jumping.

Collected August 2, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on August 3, 2011

Collected August 2, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on August 3, 2011

Female Claassenia sabulosa (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult

3 Pictures

Female Claassenia sabulosa (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from the Touchet River in Washington

I think this is one of the most poorly understood of the golden stoneflies. It is rare to see any articles about it or fishing the hatch. It emerges late in summer usually on medium to large rivers.The adults are quite secretive but it is something to see the adults run across the water surface. These guys can really run. The males have short wings.The females are up to 1 1/4 inch long rivaling the salmonfly as the largest adult stonefly in the west.The adults are not real golden in color, especially the females which are more of an off yellow to off white abdomen. In handling the adults it is obvious that they shun direct sunlight. I find them by turning over rocks close to the water's edge.

Collected August 2, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on August 3, 2011

Collected August 2, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on August 3, 2011