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.

Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York

Stream photos

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Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.

11 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.

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.

Ephemerella subvaria (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

I've never seen this strange coloration on any Ephemerella subvaria nymph in a book before, but it's similar to several other specimens I collected on the same outing, including a smaller one that I photographed. They were outnumbered by the "normal" Ephemerella subvaria nymphs in the sample.

Ventral view of a Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph from Salmon Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph from Salmon Creek in New York

Ephemerella subvaria (Ephemerellidae) (Hendrickson) Mayfly Nymph from Salmon Creek in New York

This mayfly was collected from Salmon Creek in New York on March 29th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 7th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

Has anyone else seen a Hendrickson nymph like this?

14 replies

Posted by Troutnut on Oct 31, 2006

Last reply on Mar 19, 2010 by Backcast

I found a few of these this spring in just one small Finger Lakes tributary, mixed in with various normal-looking E. subvaria nymphs. The unusual characteristic is the pale prothorax -- the "white collar" segment just behind the head. I've never heard of that color configuration before. Has anyone else?

Maybe they're mayfly clergy...

Hendrickson nymph

3 replies

Posted by Martinlf on Dec 23, 2006

Last reply on Dec 27, 2006 by GONZO

This photo shows the light band on the top of the subvaria nymph. The lighter collar seems to be abnormal, or at least an unusual color variation, if I remember the previous discussion on this photo.

I just noted the photo of the bug's belly. It appears solid brown, much to my surprise. Hmm. . . Gonzo? I believe he's away for the holidays, but I'll be interested in his answer on imitating this and other nymphs.

I've navigated away from the photo of the subvaria's underwater on the rock, but they are awesome too.

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