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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.

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 30, 2017

Updates from June 30, 2017

Photos by Troutnut from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
The South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Lateral view of a Female Ephemerellidae (Hendricksons, Sulphurs, PMDs, BWOs) Mayfly Dun from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
This one was collected in association with a male spinner, but they appear to be different families.
Lateral view of a Male Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington
I'm unsure of the ID on this one; keys put it closest to Cinygmula reticulata, but I'm very doubtful of the species and not positive on the genus. Epeorus is another possibility, but I don't know which species it would be.

This one was collected in association with a female dun probably of a different family.

Comments / replies

Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 2, 2017July 2nd, 2017, 12:25 pm EDT
Beautiful photos, Jason.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Jmd123
Jmd123's profile picture
Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Jul 2, 2017July 2nd, 2017, 12:31 pm EDT
Gorgeous! Reminds me of Oregon, including the heavily-spotted rainbows in the McKenzie River. Looks like some nice bigleaf maples in the background on the last photo. Gotta get back to that part of the world again sometime...

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

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