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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.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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.

Oldredbarn has attached these 5 pictures. The message is below.
1995 Madison River 23.5" Brown. Eric Swedman & Spence
1995 Eric Shores with Spence's torpedo Brown...Who loves wild trout?!
Why do we all have one of these shots? Rod in mouth? This shot was for the Michigan Fly Fishing Club because the Loomis rod there I won at my first club meeting after I had paid my dues.
Madison River Bow 1995...Took a size 16 Bill Monahan version of a Partridge Caddis...What a healthy specimen!
Yellowstone Park Elk...I'm on the opposite bank of a skinny raging little creek and I could not get him to lift his head for the shot. I'm jumping up and down shouting etc and finally! I bet he's happy I'm a vegetarian!
Oldredbarn
Oldredbarn's profile picture
Novi, MI

Posts: 2600
Oldredbarn on May 21, 2010May 21st, 2010, 2:22 am EDT
This is for Jesse and Matt...My contribution to the east/midwest vs Montana undercard...And in this corner...etc.

I have finally purchased a small Canon digital camera (Thanks Wiflyfisher!), but prior to now I had a Nikon F3 which, in comparrison is like carrying a frig around your neck...

Anyway, I'm heading up tomorrow to fish and I hope to play with my new camera a bit, when I'm not poking trout...

I am trying to add a couple pictures here from my trip out west in 1995. If this works there are two Eric's in the photos with me...Eric Swedman holding Mr Big. He's the manager of Madison River Fishing Co in Ennis...The other Eric holding that torpedo of a wild, healthy, Madison river Brown is Eric Shores and he guides out of MRFC.

I'm geeked about heading up and I'm trying to calm myself down a bit, but these photos aren't helping...

See you in a week or so!

Spence

PS How about those old Red Ball Lightweights! They were in style once for a minute...
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively

"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Jesse
Jesse's profile picture
Posts: 378
Jesse on Jun 12, 2010June 12th, 2010, 6:01 am EDT
Hahah Spence bud thats freaking awsome and those pictures just really help to distinguish the diversity in fishing eastern vs. western waters. The fish are beautiful, the scenery, the wildlife...its all just absolutely breathtaking. Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you buddy ive just been so busy getting back home, trying to make some money, and then figuring out plans for an already near future for going back to Montana. I haven't had that much time to get on and check things out, but it's always good to come back to some pictures like these ones. Your bug shots were great too so no need to be modest about it aha! Good day to you buddy ill be checking more often now!
Most of us fish our whole lives..not knowing its not the fish that we are after.
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com

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