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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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.

I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.

The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.

Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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.

Softhackle has attached this picture. The message is below.
"Casting To The Shadows"  Original watercolor.
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Mar 27, 2008March 27th, 2008, 5:31 am EDT
Hi All,
I've been getting kind of anxious, lately. In my case, painting helps. So, I thought I'd share my latest with you.

Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Jjlyon01
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse

Posts: 71
Jjlyon01 on Mar 27, 2008March 27th, 2008, 5:34 am EDT
WOW!! I wish I had a talent such as yours. I am awful at drawing and most other forms of "mainstream" art, but wow this really makes me appreciate the art of fly fishing even more.
"I now walk into the wild"
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Mar 27, 2008March 27th, 2008, 5:57 am EDT
Hi Jamie,
I am an alumni of Syracuse University-College of Visual and Performing Arts. How are things on campus?

Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Jjlyon01
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse

Posts: 71
Jjlyon01 on Mar 27, 2008March 27th, 2008, 7:39 am EDT
I love it here. It is only my first year here, but I am staying quite busy. As you may have seen in a few of my early posts I started up a fly fishing club for ESF and SU and I have high plans for it. I also play rugby which takes up plenty of my time and I am on the SU outing club. I could not picture myself at any other school... its just too bad that the basketball team did so poorly. Nice to hear that you are an Alum. If you come to town at all let me know and maybe we can cast a line.
"I now walk into the wild"

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