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.

Dorsal view of a Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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.

Report at a Glance

Dates FishedJuly 15 and 16
Time of Dayafternoon
Fish CaughtBrown Trout
Conditions & HatchesMostly sunny, low water, sulphurs and olives

Details and Discussion

Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 1:04 am EDT
Fished two days on the upper West Branch of the Delaware and avoided total humiliation due to some help from Matt (our own WestBranch). Managed two nice fish the first day, and one smaller one the second day. Also lost one nicer fish the second day. Thanks, Matt.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 4:38 am EDT
Hmm, I posted this up in a hurry, thinking I might add to it, but there's no edit button for reports?

What I would add is the dozens of flies tried, the billion refusals, and the gorgeous scene of the moon rising over the river the final night. And, oh yes, the second day was almost devoid of bugs. The flows this summer, according to everyone I've talked with, have been absurd, with heavy releases followed by trickles. Bugs and fish have been affected. Talk with shop owners before you head out to learn the current conditions.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 6:46 am EDT
OK, OK, I must not have edited a post on this site for a while. I forgot about the little scissors icon at the top right being the edit button. But this gives me the opportunity to carry on a conversation with myself and to make this thread look really popular--until one actually sees who's doing all the posting. But soon my dear friends will begin to click on and deride me for all my forgetfulness. And I'm glad to provide them the opportunity for a bit of entertainment. Any of you new guys, look for the little scissors if you want to add to or change your posts. Or you can just hit reply, like I did. :)
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 7:11 am EDT
Talking to yourself is certainly one way to have a conversation with a like-minded person, Louis, but I thought I'd reply just to keep you from thinking that you were being ignored. :)
Falsifly
Falsifly's profile picture
Hayward, WI.

Posts: 660
Falsifly on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 7:35 am EDT
Louis,
I hope you will excuse me for barging in on your personal thread. Dear friend or not I certainly would not deride you for your forgetfulness, but I would caution you about playing with scissors lest you cut out my favorite part—the entertainment.
Falsifly
When asked what I just caught that monster on I showed him. He put on his magnifiers and said, "I can't believe they can see that."
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 17, 2008July 17th, 2008, 3:34 pm EDT
Scissors? What scissors?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
0
Aug 22, 2008
by Wbranch
3
Jan 21, 2009
by MagicMidge
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy