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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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.

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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.

Eleven Mile Canyon

Sundula has attached these 7 pictures to this report. The message is below.

Mid afternoon you can see the color change of the aspens

Report at a Glance

Dates Fished	9/23/06
Time of Day	8:00a - 4:45p
Fish Caught	20 - 30 Browns and Rainbows ranging from 6" - 15"
Conditions & Hatches	The 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

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

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