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.

I spent more than an hour casting to several rising trout in this pool and caught only two. Its clear water and tricky currents harbor dozens of free-rising, usually very hard-to-catch fish.

From Enfield Creek in New York

Stream photos

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Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

With a bit of help from the microscope, this specimen keys clearly and unsurprisingly to Hydropsyche.

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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.

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.

Tippet for Doug

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Oct 15, 2020October 15th, 2020, 8:30 am EDT

Doug, if you want some strong fine tippet for those tiny flies, try Stroft GTM. They have some very fine diameters, and it's the strongest mono I've found in small diameters. The 7X is very strong, and I've landed some decent fish on the 8X without having to exhaust them. A good drag and side pressure help. I think they even sell 9X! I order mine from Lost Creek Fly shop:

https://www.lostcreekflies.com/item/STROFT-Tippet-Material-24

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Red_green_h

New Mexico

Posts: 64

Red_green_h on Nov 7, 2020November 7th, 2020, 7:57 am EST

Thanks for this link. I fished ankle deep waters last Wednesday and couldn't get anything near them without spooking them off. I have some 6x and 7x tippet (Walmart special) but it's no bureno, breaks very easily. Gonna give this a try!!!

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Nov 7, 2020November 7th, 2020, 10:19 am EST

It's plenty strong. Try getting on your hands and knees for that water. I have a pair of knee and shin pads I use. Approach slowly and use a long fine leader. You'll be surprised what a difference it can make.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Nov 10, 2020November 10th, 2020, 1:23 pm EST

I got a bunch of Stroft GTM late this summer and so far have been impressed with its strength. I was hoping to use some of it for Euro nymphing with very fine diameters to cut through the water, but my nymphs always tangle into a huge mess (reportedly a general problem with nylon monofilament) so I went back to fluoro for that technique. But the Stroft seems like fantastic dry fly tippet.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Red_green_h

New Mexico

Posts: 64

Red_green_h on Nov 13, 2020November 13th, 2020, 8:34 am EST

Just got some 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x. I've never used 8x before. I've used 7x though and it always seems to end up like a black widow's web but I know just the spot where I want to give it a try. I gotta get there before the snow flies and it gets locked in. Hopefully next week or after. The weather here should be cooperative at least through the end of the month.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Nov 13, 2020November 13th, 2020, 12:18 pm EST

Good luck. Let us know.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Red_green_h

New Mexico

Posts: 64

Red_green_h on Nov 30, 2020November 30th, 2020, 6:51 am EST

Planning on a day trip Wednesday or Thursday. Thursday will be a high in low 30s so I would prefer going on Wednesday however my buddy that was coming with probably has the virus sooo...he got tested just waiting on the results, might not know for a couple days. He feels fine just mild symptoms. I would love to take my son up there but the water is very low and he can be somewhat loud (bad combo). Still it would be worth his while to take him. In any event I hope my buddy recovers quickly. Might have to wait until late winter early spring before I'm able to get back up there.