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.

I spent more than an hour casting to several rising trout in this pool and caught only two. Its clear water and tricky currents harbor dozens of free-rising, usually very hard-to-catch fish.

From Enfield Creek in New York

Stream photos

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Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph Neoleptophlebia Mayfly Nymph

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.

10 Recently Added Photos

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.

Iowa fishing

Freepow
menomonie, WI

Posts: 83

Freepow on Sep 13, 2008September 13th, 2008, 6:39 am EDT

I have a question on behalf of a friend who is temporarily living in Iowa...he has heard of some rainbow fishing in the northeastern part of the state, but is wondering if anyone knows of any specific destinations? He is currently living in the central part of the state so any info on places to trout fish in that area would be helpful as well. Thanks for any info that could help him...

"I fish...because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip..."

RleeP
NW PA - Pennsylvania's Glacial Pothole Wonderland

Posts: 398

RleeP on Sep 13, 2008September 13th, 2008, 8:04 am EDT

Freepow:

I'm going to send you an off boards message for you to consider giving to your friend.

Trtklr
Banned
Michigan

Posts: 115

Trtklr on Sep 14, 2008September 14th, 2008, 9:34 am EDT

iowa has a website that talks about the trout streams in that state. I was thinking of moving there last year and looked it up. sounded like some good streams.

I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunrise on a cold stream.