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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 Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.
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Report at a Glance

General Regionboiling springs
Specific Location"The Run"
Dates Fished5/17/08
Time of Day6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fish Caught1 midget - 6", 2 nice 14"
Conditions & Hatcheschilly, windy, overcast with showers in afternoon, sulpher hatches

Details and Discussion

Backwodzboy
Lancaster County ,Pa.

Posts: 4
Backwodzboy on May 18, 2008May 18th, 2008, 2:46 pm EDT
Went over for a day of fun with a friend to fish the yellow breeches. Apon arrival the creek was high and muddy. The Run was perfect to fish though. Clear as can be, just alittle high. All three fish were caught on a Grey Fox size 14.
lookin for the big ones! (practice catch & release)

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