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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.

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.
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.

Adirman
Adirman's profile picture
Monticello, NY

Posts: 479
Adirman on Apr 2, 2021April 2nd, 2021, 3:25 am EDT
I think that these are the kinds of flies we should be using; too bad it takes so long to make one though lol!!

https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/fishing/most-realistic-trout-flies/
Jmd123
Jmd123's profile picture
Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Apr 2, 2021April 2nd, 2021, 5:42 am EDT
“They are some of the most detail-oriented, articulate tiers I’ve ever seen,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to fish one of their flies, not because it’s not fishable but because I wouldn’t want to lose it.” For his own fishing, Harman usually goes with more basic patterns."

If you spend two hours tying it, do you really wanna risk losing it on your first cast? (Yes, it's happened to me, including with expensive lures...). They are beautiful and sometimes almost anatomically correct down to the tarsal segment. Best put on display over your fly-tying station to show off to friends what you can do. The fish don't care, impressionism works remarkably well and takes a lot less time to tie.

But, that's my opinion, from a guy who uses a helluva lot of elkhair caddis...let the debate begin!

The one kind of fly I'll take longer on is a popper, deerhair or otherwise. Getting one of those to look just right takes some trimming or painting...

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

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