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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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington

I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.

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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.

help with wing burners

Mcjames
Cortland Manor, NY

Posts: 139

Mcjames on Jan 2, 2008January 2nd, 2008, 5:09 am EST

I recently made some wingburners out of 0.10mm brass, in order to shape wingcases for some nymphs a la Gonzo... but the first time I used them, the brass heated up and melted the Tyvek in between the two pieces of brass. Any tips?

I am haunted by waters

Flybyknight
Milton, DE

Posts: 82

Flybyknight on Jan 2, 2008January 2nd, 2008, 8:43 am EST

McJames,
Why the Tyvek? which is a polyolefin and melts around 325°F
Toss the plastic, use an alcohol burner, and you'll be fine.

Dick

Lightly on the dimpling eddy fling;
the hypocritic fly's unruffled wing.
Thomas Scott

Dryfly
rochester mn

Posts: 133

Dryfly on Jan 2, 2008January 2nd, 2008, 9:48 am EST

Make sure the burner when closed is totally pressed together. Close your burner and look at the tip, the two sides should be lying flat together, if not just bend with your fingers. If one side is canted a little upward then the flame can get inbetween and burn the part you don't want burned.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jan 2, 2008January 2nd, 2008, 10:39 am EST

Also just apply the flame around the edges, fairly quickly, to tyvek that is roughly cut to the shape of the burner but sticking out a bit. That way the burner doesn't heat up that much. I've found you still need to do a bit of trimming, mostly in the middle v-notch to get the shapes Gonzo does, but the burner makes the whole process much quicker than cutting out the whole case, and the burn seals the edges for wear. Some advantages of tyvek are that it's tough, takes marker colors well, and can be adapted to many shapes and sizes.

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

--Fred Chappell

Mcjames
Cortland Manor, NY

Posts: 139

Mcjames on Jan 3, 2008January 3rd, 2008, 3:16 am EST

many thanks I will give it a try. I have been using tyvek for a while because its durable and free in large quantities.

I am haunted by waters