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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 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.
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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Dorsal view of a Pteronarcys dorsata (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Blackghost
Posts: 3
Blackghost on May 1, 2009May 1st, 2009, 10:41 am EDT
I haven't tied a lot of stonefly nymphs. In most cases the river I fish don't really have a lot of stoneflies. Where would be the best place to look for stonflies. In fast running water.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on May 4, 2009May 4th, 2009, 12:06 pm EDT
That's correct. They prefer that habitat.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

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