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Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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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Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Ruler view of a Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin The smallest ruler marks are 1/16".
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Dorsal view of a Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Ventral view of a Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

This mayfly was collected from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin on June 8th, 2005 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 26th, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

mayfly nymph tied fly
1 replies
Posted by Dwrbfrear on Jan 24, 2012
Last reply on Jan 24, 2012 by Wbranch
I use several baits(spawn/bags) for spring steelhead fishing and would like to tie my own flies. What are the materials/hook sizes needed? Thanks

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References

Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Namekagon River, Wisconsin
Date: June 8th, 2005
Added to site: May 26th, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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