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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.

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.

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella aurivillii (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Chena River in Alaska
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Apr 26, 2011April 26th, 2011, 6:10 pm EDT
Jason,

I was going to share my belief that this specimen is E. aurivillii, but I see you beat me to it.:) Oh well, with all the "fast gun" Bugmeisters on this site, there are really only two types, "the quick and the dead!":)

This species is fairly common in the West, but nobody seems to know what the duns look like. If you could catch some ripe nymphs this spring and hatch them into duns, it would be excellent reportage.

Regards,

Kurt
"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
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Apr 26, 2011April 26th, 2011, 6:20 pm EDT
Haha, you get full credit for calling the ID to my attention. I checked through my key and sure enough that seems to be it.

I'd love to hear about the cooler device. I've seen similar things but am always interested in a new take on something like that. PM me if you want, or just post where everyone can see... I'm sure others would like to know about that too.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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