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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.

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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.

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 Nixe

The only species currently in this genus reported to produce fishable hatches is Nixe lucidipennis.

Angling books sometimes mention hatches of Nixe criddlei and Nixe simpliciodes. These species have been moved to the genus Ecdyonurus.

Where & when

In 68 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during July (53%), June (21%), August (16%), and May (6%).

In 7 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 3 to 2722 ft, with an average (median) of 1781 ft.

Genus Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Hatching behavior

These species hatch in or near the surface in calm water. Emergence is quite fast, but the duns may drift a while.

Spinner behavior

Time of day: Dusk

Habitat: Riffles

The female spinners oviposit by flying over the water and dropping down to the surface to release some eggs, then taking off to do it again. They eventually fall spent.

Start a Discussion of Nixe

References

Arbona, Fred Jr. 1989. Mayflies, the Angler, and the Trout. Nick Lyons Books.
Caucci, Al and Nastasi, Bob. 2004. Hatches II. The Lyons Press.
Knopp, Malcolm and Robert Cormier. 1997. Mayflies: An Angler's Study of Trout Water Ephemeroptera . The Lyons Press.