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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 Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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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Bowmandjk
erie,penna

Posts: 16
Bowmandjk on Dec 26, 2008December 26th, 2008, 1:26 am EST
well this year i retired and thought id never tire of steelhead fishing but after fishing 3 and 4 days a week the weather has got to me. I am looking forward to those beautiful warm spring days,searching for native brookies. I fish for steelheads in my back yard and drive for brookies go figure. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL
Softhackle
Softhackle's profile picture
Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540
Softhackle on Dec 28, 2008December 28th, 2008, 6:24 am EST
Go where your heart leads you! Those rare and beautiful brook trout are worth the search!

Happy trout hunting!
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Aaron7_8
Aaron7_8's profile picture
Helena Montana

Posts: 115
Aaron7_8 on Dec 28, 2008December 28th, 2008, 11:30 am EST
Be happy that your water is still fishable we had a week straight of temps all day at -5 F even the fastest waters are frozen here, although I haven't checked the two tailwaters that are close by. Hopefully we get a "Chinook" and the rivers open up again so I can get out and try my new rod. Tight lines to all.

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