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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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington

I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.

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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 October 4, 2011

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Onocosmoecus unicolor (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

2 Pictures

Onocosmoecus unicolor (Limnephilidae) (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Touchet River in Washington

Collected October 4, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on October 11, 2011

Collected October 4, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on October 11, 2011

Male Paraleptophlebia bicornuta (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Dun

1 Picture

Male Paraleptophlebia bicornuta (Leptophlebiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Dun from the Touchet River in Washington

You wonder sometimes how certain insects get their common names. This one is called the 'mahogany dun' for some unknown reason.

Collected October 4, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on October 6, 2011

Collected October 4, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on October 6, 2011

Comments / replies

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Oct 6, 2011October 6th, 2011, 9:09 am EDT

Hi Bob,

You wonder sometimes how certain insects get their common names. This one is called the 'mahogany dun' for some unknown reason.

Yeah, I agree with you that Blue Quill (defined as a dun hackled, peacock quill bodied fly) is a better handle for this specimen. As to why it's stuck with the name Mahogany Dun, I'm afraid it is a victim of lumping as important species of leptophlebiids are mahogany colored. Important baetids go by the name Blue-Winged Olive in spite of having brown bodies for the same unfortunate reason.

Regards,

Kurt

"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman