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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.

Dorsal view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
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.

Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

I'm tentatively classifying this one as Siphlonurus alternatus, because it seems to fit that species best in the old keys in Needham's Biology of Mayflies, but I'm hesitant because I can't find documentation that southwest Montana or the surrounding area is within the species' range, although they are widely distributed throughout eastern North American and western Canada.

Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
Lateral view of a Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
Dorsal view of a Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
The last abdominal segments of this one were damaged.

Ruler view of a Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
The last abdominal segments of this one were damaged.

Ventral view of a Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana

This mayfly was collected from the Gallatin River in Montana on July 2nd, 2019 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 18th, 2019.


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Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

Collection details
Location: Gallatin River, Montana
Date: July 2nd, 2019
Added to site: July 18th, 2019
Author: Troutnut
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