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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 Sweltsa (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This species was fairly abundant in a February sample of the upper Yakima.
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 Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun Pictures

This little early-season dun molted into this spinner after I photographed her.

Lateral view of a Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York
Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York
Dorsal view of a Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York
Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York
Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York
Ruler view of a Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Ventral view of a Female Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mongaup Creek in New York

This mayfly was collected from Mongaup Creek in New York on April 19th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 21st, 2006.

Discussions of this Dun

Baetis doesn't look like a BWO!!
10 replies
Posted by Adirman on Sep 10, 2010
Last reply on Sep 12, 2010 by Martinlf
I was just going through some pics on the site and looking at Baetis, it really doesn't look much like a true BWO does it? I think a more effective dry pattern for these would be something more along the lines of like a March Brown or something, maybe a royal Wulff?
BWO at last!
3 replies
Posted by CaseyP on Oct 16, 2009
Last reply on Nov 15, 2009 by RedQuill27
read no further if stories of personal revelation are not your thing...

at last i have actually seen these little wonders hatching on a not-very-nice day (overcast and 46 degrees) on a very nice creek. gee, they are neat! the cold kept them on the water for quite a while and they did indeed look just like little sailboats. the small eddies and riffles seemed not to bother them at all, and made the whole assembly look like a tiny square dance. now i understand what all the fuss is about.

the best/worst part was letting my store-bought fly drift among them. it was the right size, but the wing was too short and the hackle should have been dun, not grizzley. stream-side tying was out of the question 'cause my fingers were numb. i did get one fish, but he might have been after the real one next the imitation...

so, back to the bench and those awful tiny hooks. lots of baseball to tie to these days...;-)
Now to tie a Baetis Dun Imitation
3 replies
Posted by DarkDun on Jan 16, 2007
Last reply on Jan 16, 2007 by Martinlf
Hook:#20
Thread: Deep Brown 8/0
Wings: Dark Dun
Tails: Dark Dun Split
Abdomen: Stripped Dark brown hackle
Thorax:Rusty Brown Dubbing
Legs: Light Brown or Cree hackle tied sparse

Does this sound good? Would like to here some comments about successful paterns

Start a Discussion of Dun

Female Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mongaup Creek, New York
Date: April 19th, 2006
Added to site: April 21st, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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