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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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington

I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.

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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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Rhithrogena impersonata (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

This specimen shows one of two distinct color types of Rhithrogena impersonata nymphs. This type is very reddish, especially in the gills, perhaps a representative of the form formerly known as a separate speciesRhithrogena sanguinea.

Ruler view of a Rhithrogena impersonata (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin The smallest ruler marks are 1/32".

Rhithrogena impersonata (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin

Dorsal view of a Rhithrogena impersonata (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin

Ventral view of a Rhithrogena impersonata (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Nymph from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin

This mayfly was collected from the Long Lake Branch of the White River in Wisconsin on June 5th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 24th, 2006.

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