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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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Mayfly Genus Serratella

Prior to recent revisions, this genus of elegant little dark mayflies with their small dark bodies, dark slate wings, and paler legs and tails was more important to anglers. What was the East's most significant species is now known as Teloganopsis deficiens (Little Black Quill). The only remaining species reported of value to the eastern angler is Serratella serrata (Little Sooty Olive).

These changes have had an even bigger impact in the West. The significant Summer hatching tibialis has been moved back to its old genus and is again called Ephemerella tibialis (Small Western Dark Hendrickson). The next most prominent species (though of only minor importance) is now called Matriella teresa and is the only recognized species of that genus in North America. The very minor species velmae has also been moved, and is now back in Ephemerella. This leaves only a few western species in this genus, and they are of no reported significance to anglers.

Where & when

In 33 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during July (39%), June (24%), August (24%), and September (6%).

In 14 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 361 to 6325 ft, with an average (median) of 5000 ft.

Genus Range

Specimens of the Mayfly Genus Serratella

3 Nymphs

Discussions of Serratella

Flightless Mayfly??
8 replies
Posted by ZenCane on Apr 3, 2010
Last reply on Apr 5, 2010 by Gutcutter
In "Splitting Cane", Ed Engle refers to the "elusive flightless Serratella mayfly" - does anyone know if this was a joke, or if there is such a thing? "Mayflies" by Knopp & Cormier certinaly does not mention such a beast.

Thanks
Learning to Use the Force
6 replies
Posted by Martinlf on Jun 17, 2009
Last reply on Jun 23, 2009 by Martinlf
Went over to the Dark Side the past two days. Thanks to all who helped. By the way, Jason, fished spinners also.
Emerger
6 replies
Posted by Martinlf on Jun 10, 2009
Last reply on Jun 11, 2009 by GONZO
Does anyone know the color of the emerging/freshly emerged dun?
Serratella
1 replies
Posted by Goose on Oct 4, 2006
Last reply on Oct 4, 2006 by Troutnut
Jason: I was fishing in Central PA with a buddy on Sunday and we collected 2 different BWO species from the water. A really small one, about 22 to 24, had an olive/gray body. The other, which was about a size 20, had a gray body and thorax and was matched well with natural beaver fur. I don't know the names, of course, but I saw them with my own eyes. We did well fishing an emerger/dun pattern in sizes 20 and 22. We tied some with trailing shucks of amber or dun. We used a light olive thread for the body, sparse gray beaver dubbing for the thorax, and dun snow shoe for the wing.

Start a Discussion of Serratella

References

Mayfly Genus Serratella

Genus Range
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