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.

The North Fork Couer d'Alene River in Idaho

Stream photos

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Perlodidae (Springflies and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Nymph Perlodidae (Springflies and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Nymph

Artistic view of a Perlodidae (Springflies and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This one seems to lead to Couplet 35 of the Key to Genera of Perlodidae Nymphs and the genus Isoperla, but I'm skeptical that's correct based on the general look. I need to get it under the microscope to review several choices in the key, and it'll probably end up a different Perlodidae.

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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.

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Mayfly I.D.

14Adams
Western PA

Posts: 4

14Adams on May 30, 2011May 30th, 2011, 5:01 pm EDT

Howdy all. I have a question about the mayfly I fished among this evening. There were quite a few of them,females I figure,with snow white abdomens. Not just sort of white, snow white. I couldn't catch any for pics as they dipped and rose from the surface. Not huge,not small,just a fairly abundant medium sized mayfly. Any thoughts?

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on May 30, 2011May 30th, 2011, 6:18 pm EDT

Like this maybe?

http://www.troutnut.com/specimen/778

The other white-bodied mayflies I can think of are green drake spinners (roughly the right time of year, but they're big) and Ephoron mayflies (right size and color, wrong time of year).

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

14Adams
Western PA

Posts: 4

14Adams on May 31, 2011May 31st, 2011, 5:29 pm EDT

Not exactly. The wings and thorax are darker. I went back this evening looking for a spinner or two to gather up,but no dice. There were a few females dipping again and without a net I didn't stand a chance. Being the first of June I have to think Green Drake. The less than monsterous porportions may just be a local thing.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on May 31, 2011May 31st, 2011, 7:16 pm EDT

Green drakes are the only white-abdomen spinners I can think of with anything other than totally clear wings. Here's one of my green drake spinners:

http://www.troutnut.com/specimen/736

Look about right?

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

14Adams
Western PA

Posts: 4

14Adams on Jun 1, 2011June 1st, 2011, 12:28 pm EDT

Looks like the critter. I figure that's it.

Konchu