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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 Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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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Mayfly Species Baetis magnus (BWOs)

This large western baetid is in the Rhodani group of closely related species that could probaly also be called the Baetis tricaudatus species complex. Besides its large overall size, large hind wings (for a baetid) with rounded margins and dark lateral bands of pigment on the abdomen are are also characteristic.

Where & when

In 11 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during March (36%), May (27%), June (18%), July (9%), and April (9%).

In 14 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 3451 to 9318 ft, with an average (median) of 6207 ft.

Species Range

Start a Discussion of Baetis magnus

Mayfly Species Baetis magnus (BWOs)

Taxonomy
Species Range
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