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.

Stream photos

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Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Case view of a Limnephilus (Limnephilidae) (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This seems to be a young larva of Limnephilus. Although not clear in the picture, several ventral abdominal segments have chloride epithelia.

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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.

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Help with ID

Calloway has attached this picture to aid in identification. The message is below.

Calloway
Asheville, NC

Posts: 5

Calloway on Jul 9, 2008July 9th, 2008, 7:32 am EDT

Got some guys wanting to say the following is a Hex Limbata. I'm not sure what it is but a little light in color for the Hex's I am familar with. Would like to say golden Drake but only two tails.

Thanks

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 9, 2008July 9th, 2008, 9:28 am EDT

Keith,

This is Hexagenia limbata. That species displays tremendous variation in appearance over its transcontinental range. Sometimes the observed differences are due to this variation, sometimes they are due to the difference in coloration between male and female, and sometimes they are attributable to capturing the insect at various stages of darkening following a molt. Teneral (freshly emerged) insects will be much paler and will have less distinct markings than those that have had time to age and darken. This is true of nymphs, duns, and spinners. Your mayfly is a female imago (spinner) that has yet to express her egg packets.

Wiflyfisher