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.
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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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True Bug Family Cicadellidae (Leafhoppers)
These widely varied terrestrial insects sometimes accidentally jump into trout streams. I have heard of trout being selective to them, but it is not very common. Anglers often call them jassids.
They are very small and are best imitated on hooks sized 22 or smaller. They can be treated the same, from the angler's point of view, as the Membracidae family of leaf hoppers.
They are very small and are best imitated on hooks sized 22 or smaller. They can be treated the same, from the angler's point of view, as the Membracidae family of leaf hoppers.
1 Streamside Picture of Cicadellidae True Bugs:
This little leafhopper (also called a jassid by anglers) had apparently just emerged from its nymph.
In this picture: True Bug Family Cicadellidae (Leafhopper).
Start a Discussion of Cicadellidae
References
- Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.