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.
Featured on the forum
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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.
Troutnut.com User Parsond (Daniel Parsdon)
Troutnut.com User Parsond (Daniel Parsdon)
Real Name
Daniel Parsdon
Location
Green River Wyoming
Homepage
Biography & Thoughts
Hello! My name is Daniel and I am a HS biology/anatomy teacher and debate coach during the school year, and a Fly Fishing guide for "Solitary Angler" in the summers. I am lucky to call Wyoming's Green, Hams Fork, Fontenelle and Smiths Fork rivers home. I also fool around on Lake Flaming Gorge some. My wife knows how to sling line too, and together we feel very lucky to be raising our kids here!
I grew up fishing the waters of Minnesota for the standard warm water species and played as often as I could on the North Shore of Superior with trout/salmon/steelies. I did my undergrad work in Iowa (where I chased fish on the Cedar River, hunted upland birds and waterfowl, and missed way to much class), did a 4-year stint teaching in Chicago and getting grad school done (fishing on park ponds and Lake Michigan saved my sanity). In the summers during this phase of life I spent 9 seasons guiding young fishermen in the Black Hills at a youth camp.
Wanting to be out west again and out of the city, I finally landed my current teaching position in Wyoming (more than 20 years ago now) where I float my beloved Green River south of Pinedale Wy as often as I can. I also hunt waterfowl & grouse (I'm a bird dog guy), elk, deer, and antelope (archery and rifle). I camp, backpack, and mountain bike too - but its all about getting into the backcountry to fish and hunt.
This is my 24th year of teaching and coaching debate. I deeply love what I do. Teaching is good for my heart. Debate is good for my mind. Fishing is good for my soul.
My wife and I have been married almost 5 years. She is my best friend. Together we have 4 kids; a 10-year old daughter, 2 17-year old boys, and a 20-year old daughter in college. Our house is full of life with all the kids and pets and activities.
It is a good life. Better than I deserve, more than I hoped for, and one I do not take for granted.
I grew up fishing the waters of Minnesota for the standard warm water species and played as often as I could on the North Shore of Superior with trout/salmon/steelies. I did my undergrad work in Iowa (where I chased fish on the Cedar River, hunted upland birds and waterfowl, and missed way to much class), did a 4-year stint teaching in Chicago and getting grad school done (fishing on park ponds and Lake Michigan saved my sanity). In the summers during this phase of life I spent 9 seasons guiding young fishermen in the Black Hills at a youth camp.
Wanting to be out west again and out of the city, I finally landed my current teaching position in Wyoming (more than 20 years ago now) where I float my beloved Green River south of Pinedale Wy as often as I can. I also hunt waterfowl & grouse (I'm a bird dog guy), elk, deer, and antelope (archery and rifle). I camp, backpack, and mountain bike too - but its all about getting into the backcountry to fish and hunt.
This is my 24th year of teaching and coaching debate. I deeply love what I do. Teaching is good for my heart. Debate is good for my mind. Fishing is good for my soul.
My wife and I have been married almost 5 years. She is my best friend. Together we have 4 kids; a 10-year old daughter, 2 17-year old boys, and a 20-year old daughter in college. Our house is full of life with all the kids and pets and activities.
It is a good life. Better than I deserve, more than I hoped for, and one I do not take for granted.