Header image
Enter a name
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.

Backwodzboy
Lancaster County ,Pa.

Posts: 4
Backwodzboy on May 18, 2008May 18th, 2008, 2:57 pm EDT
I have flyfished for about 7 years. I have been to "The Run" at boiling springs a handfull of times. I reciently have taken an intrest in this litle creek even though its hard to figure out what flys to use. I was wondering if any of you vetrians could help me out with this tricky little stream. Thanks
lookin for the big ones! (practice catch & release)
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on May 18, 2008May 18th, 2008, 6:19 pm EDT
Backwodz--use the website search and click on the thread entitled "letort, breeches, or big spring."
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on May 19, 2008May 19th, 2008, 1:47 pm EDT
And when you do, especially look for John W's and Gonzo's fly suggestions. Gonzo knows the run better than anyone else I know. Best of luck.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
SlateDrake9
Potter County, PA

Posts: 144
SlateDrake9 on May 20, 2008May 20th, 2008, 2:15 pm EDT
If you can't get them on a BHPT (size 16-20), go home.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake

Quick Reply

Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy