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.

The trees were leafing out and the trout were rising on this productive Wisconsin stream

From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Stream photos

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Clostoeca disjuncta (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva Clostoeca disjuncta (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva

Lateral view of a Clostoeca disjuncta (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This one was surprisingly straightforward to identify. The lack of a sclerite at the base of the lateral hump narrows the field quite a bit, and the other options followed fairly obvious characteristics to Clostoeca, which only has one species, Clostoeca disjuncta.

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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.

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.

Spring Creek ID

DOS has attached these 3 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.

DOS
Buffalo, NY

Posts: 64

DOS on Mar 15, 2009March 15th, 2009, 11:50 am EDT

I collected these insects from the head waters of a spring creek just south-west of rochester, ny. In this stream i don't believe the mayfly nymphs play a significant role in a trouts diet until they hatch, as they are out numbered 500-1 by scuds on the stream bed and only become distinguishable to trout on their way up to the surface or while in the surface film.

Sorry for the crude macro photos ... I'm still trying to prefect this part of my game...

Andrew Nisbet

DOS
Buffalo, NY

Posts: 64

DOS on Mar 15, 2009March 15th, 2009, 12:13 pm EDT

this is what i have so far...

1 Are #1 & #2 the same species? Family Ephemerellidae ... subvaria?
2 Family Ephemerellidae... subvaria? or Fam. Caenis?
3 Family Baetidae ... but what genera? Pseudocloeon?

Andrew Nisbet

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Mar 15, 2009March 15th, 2009, 5:37 pm EDT

Andrew,

I believe your photo labeled #3 to be of a Baetis nymph, probably B. tricaudatus, and your photos labeled 2 & 1 to be of Ephemerella nymphs, both probably E. subvaria.

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

DOS
Buffalo, NY

Posts: 64

DOS on Mar 17, 2009March 17th, 2009, 10:17 am EDT

Thank you Roger! I hope to have a macro lens and flash Jason suggest soon so I can start taking high quality photos. Just need to save for a couple more pay checks!!

Andrew Nisbet