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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.

BGrnFlyfish
Wisconsin

Posts: 37
BGrnFlyfish on Apr 28, 2008April 28th, 2008, 11:33 am EDT
Just found a pretty cool magazine, sorry If I'm slow, but if any of you have not heard of it you should check it out!
Seth-Big Green River, WI
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Apr 28, 2008April 28th, 2008, 5:55 pm EDT
One of my bug pictures is in a recent edition. :) Appropriately enough, it's a brown drake.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
BGrnFlyfish
Wisconsin

Posts: 37
BGrnFlyfish on Apr 29, 2008April 29th, 2008, 5:23 am EDT
Jason, thats awesome, have you had any other pictures in different magazines? Which edition is it? I looked in the one I have which is Vol. 10 issue one. I find it funny that in the top right corner of the cover it says FIVE BUCKS, 10 bucks for bait fisherman. haha
Seth-Big Green River, WI
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Apr 29, 2008April 29th, 2008, 12:53 pm EDT
Congrats, Jason. Is your pic the one on the cover with the mayfly perched on the guy's chin? And, if so, is that your chin? I love that photo.

I read in a online forum that they published something about my flies in their last issue. I couldn't find the issue on any shelves, though, so I contacted the publisher and he said he'd send me a copy. So far, nothing has arrived.

If your issue is the latest, Thomas and Thomas, do you mind PMing me? I'd like to know what they said about my stuff.

Thanks,
Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on May 1, 2008May 1st, 2008, 5:20 am EDT
I don't have a subscription, so I've just got the one issue they sent with my picture in it, which is Volume 9 Issue 1. My picture is about half-way through.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
BGrnFlyfish
Wisconsin

Posts: 37
BGrnFlyfish on May 1, 2008May 1st, 2008, 9:12 am EDT
Awesome, I'll look for it!
Seth-Big Green River, WI

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