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.

Stream photos

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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

6 Recently Added Photos

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.

Trout Stream Insects, Page 4

Visit the Trout Stream Insects section for thousands of closeups of mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and others, along with detailed information about their life cycles and relevance to angling. This section showcases a few favorites.

Artistic view of a Male Epeorus pleuralis (Heptageniidae) (Quill Gordon) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

This is one of my favorite pictures. Belostoma and other Hemiptera bugs aren't fully aquatic, and when I stuck this one in my aquarium it quickly crawled out of the water and up to the highest point, a pair of tiny mushrooms growing on a soggy log.

Artistic view of a Belostoma flumineum (Belostomatidae) (Electric Light Bug) Giant Water Bug Adult from the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

Giant water bug. This dangerous aquatic predator belongs to the species Belostoma flumineum, in a family known as the "toebiters"

Artistic view of a Belostoma flumineum (Belostomatidae) (Electric Light Bug) Giant Water Bug Adult from the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

Lateral view of a Cheumatopsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Little Sister Sedge) Caddisfly Pupa from Cayuta Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Isonychia bicolor (Isonychiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #62 in New York

Lateral view of a Female Neophylax (Thremmatidae) (Autumn Mottled Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from Mystery Creek #43 in New York

Artistic view of a Male Epeorus frisoni (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

Artistic view of a Female Perlesta (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Adult from Enfield Creek in New York

Artistic view of a Male Isonychia bicolor (Isonychiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Spinner from the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

Lateral view of a Male Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Dun from the Beaverkill River in New York

Artistic view of a Isonychia bicolor (Isonychiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the Beaverkill River in New York

Dorsal view of a Stenonema vicarium (Heptageniidae) (March Brown) Mayfly Nymph from the Beaverkill River in New York

Dorsal view of a Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Peltoperla (Peltoperlidae) (Roachfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Artistic view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph from Salmon Creek in New York

A fishfly larva. This fishfly (genus Nigonia) is closely related in appearance to Hellgrammites

Artistic view of a Nigronia serricornis (Corydalidae) (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva from Salmon Creek in New York

A freshwater amphipod (scud). Tiny crustacean common to many freshwater environments

Dorsal view of a Amphipoda (Scud) Arthropod Adult from Salmon Creek in New York

Hex MayfliesHexagenia limbata

Trout Stream Insects, Page 4

Trout Stream Insects, Page 4

Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata