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.

Mount Deborah and Hess Mountains. Two of the greatest peaks of the Alaska Range rise behind the braided, glacial Susitna River. These massive mountains are 35 miles north of where I took this picture.

From the Susitna River in Alaska

Stream photos

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

Zapada cinctipes (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph Zapada cinctipes (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Zapada cinctipes (Nemouridae) (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.

13 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.

Deep water trout and insects.

Crooketarow
Posts: 2

Crooketarow on Jul 7, 2009July 7th, 2009, 5:34 am EDT

I have deep qurrays that have alot of 5 to 8 pound rainbows in it.I've fished them quite a few times with flys no strikes but each time see rings and big swirles.But do'nt see any hatching insects.Any help please.I do know of only a few taken 5 to 8 pounders taken on only worms.This has been diiving me crazy for the last few years.I've almost converted back to bait fishing a few times (HELP PLEASE)

Mike56
Wyoming

Posts: 3

Mike56 on Jul 9, 2009July 9th, 2009, 9:06 am EDT

I don't know what part of the country you are in. I have had similar problems and have had fairly good luck with a san juan worm pattern. The San Juan is a tubifex worm. They are pretty common in the rocky mountain area. It is probably the easiest pattern to tie and the one that consistently catches big fish, all times of the year. I tie them in bright red and brown. The brown San Juan's look a lot like a small earth worm and I have always suspected trout sometimes take them for just that.

I fish them deep with split shot on the leader about 18 to 20" ahead of the fly, you could use a heavy nymph as a dropper too. I use a strike indicator as well. the strike indicator slows down the travel time in fast water and gives a more drag free drift.

I have had luck with this pattern in lakes, but usually at the inlet. This is usually my standby pattern for deep, fast rivers.

Let me know.
Mike