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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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

6 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.

Olive No Hackle for a trip later this spring

Martinlf has attached these 4 pictures to this report. The message is below.

Report at a Glance

General Region	Pennsylvania
Specific Location	Spring Creeks
Dates Fished	In the future
Time of Day	probably afternoon
Fish Caught	Something, hopefully
Conditions & Hatches	Olives

Details and Discussion

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Feb 3, 2021February 3rd, 2021, 7:25 am EST

I wasn't sure about attaching images that are only in my computer, but knew this would work. Here's a size 20 no hackle--my best wings so far.

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

--Fred Chappell

Partsman

bancroft michigan

Posts: 321

Partsman on Feb 3, 2021February 3rd, 2021, 11:43 am EST

Very nice, I have not tried that wing style in a long time. It looks like you got it.
Mike.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Feb 3, 2021February 3rd, 2021, 12:08 pm EST

Thanks, Mike. Have you fished the no hackle? I'm curious about how it will perform.

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

--Fred Chappell

Partsman

bancroft michigan

Posts: 321

Partsman on Feb 4, 2021February 4th, 2021, 9:57 am EST

Martin,I have not fished this type of since I was a kid. Parachutes are the pattern of choice here in Michigan, but I may attempt some of these, and give them a go. I think I have tied up every type of Hendrickson, and several different bwo’s. Not to mention all the streamers. I’m going crazy with this stuff but what the hell!
Mike.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Feb 4, 2021February 4th, 2021, 12:37 pm EST

I’m going crazy with this stuff but what the hell!

I get it. But it's fun to try new things, and to resurrect old patterns. I've gone crazy more than once messing around with tying. Lately I've been dyeing some materials with Rit to see how they come out. Pheasant tails, and some grizzly hackle for PMD emergers. It's entertaining, though sometimes I think I get a bit obsessive. Oh well. Or as you say, what the hell!

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

--Fred Chappell

Crepuscular