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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 Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.

Adirman
Adirman's profile picture
Monticello, NY

Posts: 479
Adirman on Jun 21, 2011June 21st, 2011, 4:58 pm EDT
I bought the James Marsh DVD on Mayflies as advertised on Troutnut. Cost $34.95 w/ shipping and got w/in about 7-8 days, not bad. The DVD sound quality was a little weak at times but not bad; overall it was very informative though! The host, James Marsh, takes you through all of the major Mayflies w/ upclose shots, Latin names, and common name. Overall, I'd give it about a B. Solid stuff and defintely worth getting but could be a tad better in terms of sound quality and maybe providing a scenario where he (James) himself actually fishes and exhibits his thought processes from initial arrival on-stream to actually successfully catching trout. Still though, solid and recommended!!

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