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.

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.

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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.

Do small streams turn off earlier in the evening?

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Jul 27, 2006July 27th, 2006, 3:24 pm EDT

I fish small streams quite a bit, and I almost always do poorly in the last half-hour before dark. This seems strange since that's usually the best time of day on the larger rivers I fish.

I wonder if there's something to it, and the fish become inactive earlier, or if it's just that they're harder to fish effectively without being able to see what you're doing. My guess would be the latter.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Wiflyfisher

Wisconsin

Posts: 622

Wiflyfisher on Jul 28, 2006July 28th, 2006, 9:03 am EDT

Jason, I think you have to also consider the surrounding habitat and how that might effect the fishing situation. As example, a smaller stream in the East and Midwest (ie: Long Branch, Big Brook, etc...) has much more overhead cover (trees shading the water), less sunlight and lower water temps than most larger (wider) rivers. This could definitely effect the hatch / feeding cycle.

John

John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com