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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Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.

17 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.

GRABBIT GRABBIT?

IEatimago
Spring Mills, PA

Posts: 97

IEatimago on Sep 20, 2007September 20th, 2007, 2:11 pm EDT

where have you been?
i got your package thank you very much,
also i believe to have encountered one of the sedges you are looking for on my screen tonight.
anyways thanks again!

Smallstream
State College, PA

Posts: 103

Smallstream on Sep 20, 2007September 20th, 2007, 6:23 pm EDT

Im pretty hammered but coherent enough to see that sthose are some sweet trout!

Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197

Shawnny3 on Sep 21, 2007September 21st, 2007, 12:14 am EDT

That one belongs in the Best Quotes thread for sure, Smallstream.

Nice fish, IEat.

-Shawn

Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com

Konchu

Site Editor
Indiana

Posts: 498

Konchu on Sep 22, 2007September 22nd, 2007, 4:25 pm EDT

I second the nomination of "sthose" words for the hall of infamy.

Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197

Shawnny3 on Sep 23, 2007September 23rd, 2007, 2:23 am EDT

Well put, Konchu.

-Shawn

Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com

Smallstream
State College, PA

Posts: 103

Smallstream on Sep 23, 2007September 23rd, 2007, 5:32 am EDT

haha, now with no vehicle, I do way more drinking than fishing, unfortunately

Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197

Shawnny3 on Sep 23, 2007September 23rd, 2007, 7:14 am EDT

So, Smallstream, you must be the guy I drive past staggering home from the stream. Next time I'll stop and offer you a lift.

-Shawn

Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com

Smallstream
State College, PA

Posts: 103

Smallstream on Sep 24, 2007September 24th, 2007, 2:37 am EDT

thanks, I appreciate it lol, trying to fish while drunk would be very hard I bet especially when one of those extremely complicated leader knots occurs, I couldnt even imagine how I would get one of those untangled, never mind trying to wade the stream, it would be pretty funny to see though.

Grabbit
Columbus, OH

Posts: 21

Grabbit on Sep 25, 2007September 25th, 2007, 6:58 pm EDT

IEat, those are some fabulous brwn trout that you photographed. It is strange that your buddy insisted you hold his catch while he snapped a picture. Is he camera shy? Tell hinm I said nice work. Ask what type of flies he was using and what the flows are looking like in Penns Valley? Did any rain move in there today? We got a dose of rain here but it was only enough to settle the dust. As of now I plan on being in the valley for some fall BWOs and will let you know as we get closer to the date... perhaps we can fish then. I look forward to meeting up with you and will bring you some more flys to entice the big boys next spring on the No Kill section of Penns. IEat your future looks damned bright, keep up the good work. Im Out.

.....Grabbit....

Fishing with nymphs is for fat little kids... man up and throw a dry.