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.

This view of the pipeline, the Atigun River, and an impressive sunset/rise was one of my first views of the North Slope as I came through Atigun Pass in the middle of the night.

From the Atigun River in Alaska

Stream photos

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.

10 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.

Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun Pictures

Ruler view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

Dorsal view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

Ventral view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

Lateral view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Dun from Dresserville Creek in New York

This mayfly was collected from Dresserville Creek in New York on April 30th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 3rd, 2007.

Discussions of this Dun

You all are nuts!

17 replies

Posted by VTBob on Jun 2, 2009

Last reply on Apr 10, 2012 by Entoman

Great info and photos. Fishing Catskills for first time, didn't know what a blue quill was. Looks like an #18, will a sparkle dun tie work?

Great Photos

5 replies

Posted by Martinlf on May 4, 2007

Last reply on Aug 20, 2009 by Flytyer0423

Jason, as noted before the photos of the ventral side, from the fish's eye view are great. These Show the lighter edges of the segments that Gonzo often imitates with lighter thread. I've been tying some of my baetids and paraleps with a unithread body ribbed with a lighter color (twisted to make the rib thin) and the trout seem to like it. I sometimes, (when I remember) add a coat of thinned flexament, which preserves the true thread color when it gets wet. I'd be curious to hear others ideas about Blue Quill imitations. A parachute has been working as well as Gonzo's upside down comparadun tie, one of which was readily gobbled (and seated in the lip on the hookset) by a nice spring creek brown as I hit the tail end of the hatch after a day of nymphing yesterday.

Start a Discussion of Dun