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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Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.

10 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.

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Troutnut.com User Sundula (Ben)

Real Name

Ben

Location

Littleton, Colorado

Biography & Thoughts

I began flyfishing in 1994, I have been fishing my whole life I started in my grandfather's pond in rural Ohio with a stick, line, hook and bread for bait in search of bluegill. I evolved from a bait slinger to spin fishing, and from there flyfishing, the natural progression. I landed my first trout on a flyrod in a very small mountain creek on a weekend camping trip with my parents, it was a 6" brook trout. I was hooked immediatly. The Christmas of 1994 I received a fly tying kit and began wrapping hooks and have never turned back.
My home river is the South Platte I live 5 minutes away from Waterton Canyon, I am fortunate to be within 2 hours of several of Colorado's great trout waters; Eleven Mile Canyon, Cheesman Canyon, Deckers, Spinney,and the Dream Stream. I also enjoy fishing the Arkansas River, and the Colorado. In the summer months I head to the high country and fish the alpine lakes and high mountain streams. I mainly nymph fish, but jump at the chance to throw a dry when the situation arrises. I have only been nymphing for 3 years now, and this year (2006) I have improved exponentually with a little advise from a "seasoned veteran" at my favorite fly shop, "If your not picking moss your not catching fish, add more weight, and cast to where the fish are!" That simple advice has improved my sucess a ton (the conversation was more involved than the quote but that was the meat of it). Thank you Mike, and Dick, if anyone is planning a trip to the Denver area to sample the South Platte I have to recomend their shop, Anglers All 5211 S. Santa Fe Dr. Littleton, CO 80120, or visit them on the web at anglersall.com.
See you on the river and tight lines to all!