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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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.
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Troutnut.com User Rjb_skins (Ron Beltramo)
Troutnut.com User Rjb_skins (Ron Beltramo)
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Ron Beltramo
Location
Menlo Park, CA
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Biography & Thoughts
I have enjoyed the sport of fly fishing for over 40 years. Most of my experience has been in Northern California fishing for trout and steelhead. My favorite fishing spots are the Trinity River for Steelhead and Putah Creek for trout close by. I belong to the Peninsula Fly Fisher Club and have become active in the organization in the last few years (clubs are a great way to connect with fellow fly fishers and to continue to learn about the sport). My day job is in marketing & sales in the food industry, and my nights & weekends are taken up with Wader Skinsâ„¢ (my patented versatile aquatic system) that allows for safe wading and float tube fishing. My goal as I approach retirement age in the next few years is to get out and fish more and spend time launching Wader Skinsâ„¢.
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Ron Beltramo
Founder of Wader Skinsâ„¢
Founder of Wader Skinsâ„¢