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.

I spent more than an hour casting to several rising trout in this pool and caught only two. Its clear water and tricky currents harbor dozens of free-rising, usually very hard-to-catch fish.

From Enfield Creek in New York

Stream photos

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Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Limnephilus (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Case view of a Limnephilus (Limnephilidae) (Summer Flier Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This seems to be a young larva of Limnephilus. Although not clear in the picture, several ventral abdominal segments have chloride epithelia.

7 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 July 14, 2003

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin and Bearsdale Springs in Wisconsin

Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Bluntnose Minnow
Pimephales notatus

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Salmonidae (Trout, Salmon, and Whitefish) Fish Adult

1 Picture

Brook Trout
Salvenilus fontinalis

This is a young of the year brook trout that I caught and released after a quick picture. I included it here since it's about of the size one might imitate with a streamer.

I apologize for the horrible quality of the picture; this was taken a year or two (and a camera or two) before I started Troutnut.com and learned how to do photography.

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Collected July 13, 2003 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Cyprinidae (Minnow) Fish Adult

1 Picture