Header image
Enter a name
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.

Lateral view of a Onocosmoecus (Limnephilidae) (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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.

Male Drunella spinifera (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

In a bucket full of Drunella coloradensis nymphs, this was the only specimen of Drunella spinifera (and the first one I've found anywhere).

Dorsal view of a Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Ventral view of a Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Lateral view of a Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Artistic view of a Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
Ruler view of a Male Drunella spinifera (Ephemerellidae) (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This mayfly was collected from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington on July 28th, 2019 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 30th, 2019.

Discussions of this Nymph

Another horned critter
Posted by Martinlf on Aug 17, 2020
Last reply on Aug 17, 2020 by Martinlf
Woah! Another cool drunella. So much out there we often don't have a clue about. Thanks, Jason.

Start a Discussion of Nymph

Male Drunella spinifera (Western Slate Olive Dun) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mystery Creek #199, Washington
Date: July 28th, 2019
Added to site: July 30th, 2019
Author: Troutnut
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy