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.

Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Stream photos

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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.

Site updates from March 22, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from Willowemoc Creek, the Beaverkill River, and the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

My friend Ian throws a fine cast in a section of river that's open year-round. From the bridge, we spotted a very nice brown nymphing, but neither of us could get it to take.

From Willowemoc Creek in New York

This is Cairn's Pool on the Beaverkill, possibly the most famous pool in all of trout fishing.

From the Beaverkill River in New York

This nice brown trout was so well-camouflaged at the bottom of the stream that he required a zoom lens, polarizing filter, and digital contrast enhancement to photograph. My friend Ian and I watched from the bridge as this big trout fed on nymphs for several minutes, and then we took turns trying to catch it. The selective brown practically laughed us off the river.

A late winter sunset radiates over a Catskill ridge. This picture is taken near a popular landing on one of the main tailwaters.

From the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

The Beaverkill River, Cairns Pool in New York

I love how clear the water can be in the Catskills when it hasn't rained for a little while. A polarizing filter (or sunglasses!) helps, too.

From Willowemoc Creek in New York

A small tributary tumbles toward a large Catskill river.

From the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

On-stream insect photos by Troutnut

An early season stonefly nymph looking to hatch crawls across a snow-covered midstream boulder.

I'm not sure what the caddisflies in this tight cluster are doing, but I'd guess it has something to do with mating. They scooted all around the rock, with some flies leaving the cluster and new ones coming all the time.

From the Beaverkill River in New York

Comments / replies

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Jan 8, 2013January 8th, 2013, 8:02 am EST

Great pictures! The ones of the bridge are behind Harry Darbee's house. I've fished there many times. The fish always hang on the left side as there is deeper water there. Down stream by the old abutment used to be tons of stocked browns.

I couple of the other pictures look like they were taken at what we used to call "The Power Enclosure". About three miles upstream from the bridge pictures and just below the beginning of the No-Kill water. Am I right? I've caught some of the few rainbows I've ever caught on the Willow in that riffle.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Jan 8, 2013January 8th, 2013, 8:40 am EST

Some of them are from what I've heard called "Power-Line Pool," which I'd guess is the same thing.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Jan 8, 2013January 8th, 2013, 9:27 am EST

Jason,

"Some of them are from what I've heard called "Power-Line Pool," which I'd guess is the same thing."

Yes, that's it! I used to park my 1969 VW Campmobile either at the upper end or down near the flat water pool and stay there all weekend. I'll look at some of my scanned prints to see if I have any from the "olden days" of my youth.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Jan 9, 2013January 9th, 2013, 4:42 pm EST

Interesting behavior by those caddis. Don't think it's mating. Could they be obtaining something from that lichen or whatever the growth is?

"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Jan 9, 2013January 9th, 2013, 10:59 pm EST

Hi Jason-

I'm not sure what the caddisflies in this tight cluster are doing, but I'd guess it has something to do with mating. They scooted all around the rock, with some flies leaving the cluster and new ones coming all the time.

Unless I'm mistaken, the scientific term for this is cluster****.

Sorry Lewis, but I simply couldn't resist Jason's cleverly baited hook. :-)

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com