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 Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Columbia River in Washington

7 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.

Hydropsyche aenigma (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Pictures

These big caddisflies were tempting trout as they wriggled out of their shucks, while others skated across the water at a medium pace, probably egg-laying.

This is the same caddisfly, moments after it emerged (the shuck is still attached a bit). You can see the body color was much lighter then.

Hydropsyche aenigma (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Hydropsyche aenigma (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Lateral view of a Hydropsyche aenigma (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Dorsal view of a Hydropsyche aenigma (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

This body almost cries out to be imitated with peacock herl, doesn't it?

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche aenigma (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

This caddisfly was collected from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York on May 15th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.

Discussions of this Adult

Can I get a better ID on this?

3 replies

Posted by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Last reply on Dec 22, 2007 by Creno

I'm really just guessing. I'm too busy too key it out right now but I'd really like to know what it is. This was one of the main species the fish were taking (along with Apple Caddis) on the West Branch of the Delaware the other day.

genitalia pics?

Posted by Litobrancha on May 19, 2007

Last reply on May 19, 2007 by Litobrancha

jason can you take some better pictures of the genital terminalia? especially the tenth tergite and spines above the inferior appendages? nice specimen.

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