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.

Neversink Gorge (Wolf Brook) in New York

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.

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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.

filing vs. smashing

Mcjames
Cortland Manor, NY

Posts: 139

Mcjames on May 1, 2009May 1st, 2009, 5:51 am EDT

What are the pros/cons of filing hook barbs vs. smashing them flat with pliers? Does it make a difference?

I am haunted by waters

LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251

LittleJ on May 1, 2009May 1st, 2009, 9:16 am EDT

I can't see an advantage to filing, it would take waaaaaay to much time. I crush my barbs and have no trouble getting them out of trouts mouths. Plus a lot of hooks have micro barbs, and they crush easily.
jeff

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on May 1, 2009May 1st, 2009, 1:48 pm EDT

I've heard that filing them can weaken the temper and make the points more brittle. On the other hand, you can get a point that looks like a Tiemco SPBL or a Knapek hook, which some think penetrates better and holds better. I'm just buying barbless hooks these days, on the advice of someone who fishes competition. If anyone knows what will hold a fish better these guys do.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197

Shawnny3 on May 1, 2009May 1st, 2009, 1:54 pm EDT

What Jeff said.

-Shawn

Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
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