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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.

Dorsal view of a Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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.
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Sundula has attached these 7 pictures to this report. The message is below.
Good brown with beautiful color.
Eleven Mile Dam
First thing in the morning
First thing in the morning
Mid afternoon you can see the color change of the aspens
Down stream of last pic

Report at a Glance

Dates Fished9/23/06
Time of Day8:00a - 4:45p
Fish Caught20 - 30 Browns and Rainbows ranging from 6" - 15"
Conditions & HatchesThe flow was aaround 100cfs, the water was gin clear, and the Baetis were coming off all day! Awesome day!

Details and Discussion

Sundula
Littleton, Colorado

Posts: 35
Sundula on Sep 24, 2006September 24th, 2006, 8:16 am EDT
When we arrived there was about 3" - 6" of snow on the ground and the air temp was 28 degrees, when the sun came up over the canyon around 9 - 9:30, the air temp moved up to the forties, and it was on. There was a huge Baetis hatch that began at 9:30a that lasted more than an hour. Through out the day there were several more much smaller but just as productive hatches of Baetis.
Effective Flies: Barr's Emerger #20, BWO Dun #18 - #22, Parachute BWO #18 - #22, Mercury RS2 #20 - #22, "Traditional" RS2 #18 - #22, Mercury Baetis #18 - #20
I attached some pictures of the canyon so everyone could see why I spend so much time on the South Platte.
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Sep 24, 2006September 24th, 2006, 8:27 am EDT
Sounds like a dream!

It's really not supposed to be snowing yet, though! Where did summer go? Get back here, season!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Sep 24, 2006September 24th, 2006, 8:39 am EDT
I just saw those pictures you attached. The snowy one with the sun just peeking over the ridge is terrific!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Sundula
Littleton, Colorado

Posts: 35
Sundula on Sep 24, 2006September 24th, 2006, 8:52 am EDT
From now until the end of October into November can be the best fishing of the year. I took the week off work to fish the Baetis hatches. Thank you for the comment of my photo, it means alot comming from you, I love your photography.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Dec 18, 2006December 18th, 2006, 2:27 pm EST
Sundula, thanks for the photos for us Easterners who can't get out to see this beautiful water (at least right now). I loved the pictures.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Sundula
Littleton, Colorado

Posts: 35
Sundula on Dec 18, 2006December 18th, 2006, 2:45 pm EST
Thank you!
DeRidder
Corinth TX

Posts: 3
DeRidder on Dec 19, 2006December 19th, 2006, 5:09 am EST
Stunning Photography, only place I've fished on the S Platte was Cheesmans canyon and it wasn't nearly that beautiful.
Thanks for sharing
Don

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