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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

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)

Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

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.

15 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.

Phonetic pronunciation guide, Page 3

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Mar 18, 2011March 18th, 2011, 6:55 am EDT

You know, Kurt, at work we used magnifier lamps - the ones with a big magnifying glass ringed with a flourescent bulb on a flexible stand - to sort tiny benthic inverts from the debris we collected. I suppose I should invest in one of those and then perhap I can also aspire to tie size 20 Royal Wulffs as well. My eyes alone just won't allow it and I'm only 47!!

Very nice. The Royal Wulff is probably my all-time favorite attractor fly. It works well on my "natal" fly-fishing stream, the Maple River in northern MI. Brookies just love 'em!

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

Aaron7_8

Helena Montana

Posts: 115

Aaron7_8 on Mar 20, 2011March 20th, 2011, 5:32 am EDT

Wow what a thread. I was attending a fly tying class last week and the Instructor said he got out fished four to one on of the streams I frequent on the difference between a size 20 and a size 18. Sometimes it is great to have the exact right thing and other times I go out and catch fish on four or five different flies in all types of water.