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.

A beautiful braided reach of the Sag River, with the Philip Smith Mountains in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the background.

From the Sagavanirktok River in Alaska

Stream photos

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Psychodidae True Fly Larva Psychodidae True Fly Larva

Lateral view of a Psychodidae True Fly Larva from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This wild-looking little thing completely puzzled me. At first I was thinking beetle or month larva, until I got a look at the pictures on the computer screen. I made a couple of incorrect guesses before entomologist Greg Courtney pointed me in the right direction with Psychodidae. He suggested a possible genus of Thornburghiella, but could not rule out some other members of the tribe Pericomini.

8 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.

Stenochironomus poecilopterus

Stenochironomus poecilopterus Midge Adult

6 Pictures

Lateral view of a Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mystery Creek #62 in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mystery Creek #62 in New York and added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 8:28 am EDT

After looking at Falsifly's cool midge pictures (and badly misinterpreting them), I decided to attempt a midge identification. That's a scary prospect for me, but I picked this one because the distinctive wing, body, and leg markings made it easy to follow the key.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 9:39 am EDT

Neat. I moved it into Stenochironomus, but I don't even have midge species in the database.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:21 am EDT

Bummer, Jason! This may be the only midge that I'll ever be able to ID to species. (I was thinking of naming Falsifly's midge Meaculpa maxima, but my Latin isn't good enough to be sure that the gender of the species agrees with the genus.) :)

PS--I think my favorite name for a real midge is Dicrotendipes thanatogratus. John Epler named that species for the Grateful Dead!

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:36 am EDT

Okay, I added it just for you! A midge species ID deserves at least that much reward, if not some kind of medal...

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:37 am EDT

Thanks! I am deeply honored by your gesture.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:42 am EDT

Now I've just got to collect a specimen of Dicrotendipes thanatogratus and we'll be all set. Any idea where to start?

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:48 am EDT

Pack your bags and your Bermudas, Jason. I believe that Dr. Epler probably found it in Florida.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:52 am EDT

Wow, I don't know what would happen if I were to travel that far from the nearest salmonid. I have survived a couple years in the absence of nearby wild trout, but the plentiful large Arctic grayling do make that easier. Florida might be a bit too treacherous!

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist