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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Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Glossosoma (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.

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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.

Softhackle Sulphur Emergers

Bobbyg
North Carolina

Posts: 36

Bobbyg on May 17, 2010May 17th, 2010, 2:54 am EDT

As sulphur activity is really starting to pick up on my two favorite tailwaters, I was wondering if anyone has a favorite soft hackle pattern they employ.

I'm not a fly tyer but I certainly have a ton of respect for those that know their way around a vise!

This is one I use, tied for me by my buddy out in Idaho.
Very effective, for me any way. Across and down on a 12' to 15' 6x leader. The browns will take it anywhere in the swing.

Just looking for some other options.

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after."

- Henry David Thoreau

Softhackle

Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540

Softhackle on May 17, 2010May 17th, 2010, 4:51 am EDT

Hi Bobby,
Absolutely, I use a number of different soft-hackles for sulfurs. Here they are:

http://troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/html/li_l_dorothy.html More for the dorotheas

http://troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/html/sulfur_soft-hackle.htm

http://troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/html/lt__snipe___yellow.html

http://troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/html/tup_s_indispensible.html

Hope these help,
Mark

"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on May 17, 2010May 17th, 2010, 6:06 am EDT

Gorgeous fies, as always, Mark. I love it when you post these up. It motivates me to use wet flies more and gives me many ideas on tying. The color mix on the tups is very much in line with the idea of blending in different colors offered in another thread.

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

--Fred Chappell

Softhackle

Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540

Softhackle on May 17, 2010May 17th, 2010, 2:32 pm EDT

Thanks, Louis!

Mark

CaseyP

Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653

CaseyP on May 17, 2010May 17th, 2010, 3:05 pm EDT

Mark, the Tupps did a very nice job for me on Spruce Creek PA today in the rain. nothing quite like those wonderful old-fashioned wets, especially when attached to a Klinkhammar-style to match.

"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra