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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.

This topic is about the Stonefly Family Capniidae

These are the first stoneflies of the year to appear in most parts of the country, and often the first aquatic insects noticed by the angler. Their dark brown or black bodies are easy to spot against the snowbanks where they crawl around.

Capnia in the West and Allocapnia in the East are probably the most common genera of this prolific family.

Example specimens

DarkDun
Posts: 16
DarkDun on Nov 20, 2006November 20th, 2006, 3:38 pm EST
I like your site and all it offers. Would like you to come on down to the Southeast and identify our species of mayflies, caddis and plecoptera. Ours are a bit different in makeup than elsewhere and really need cataloging. We constantly are trying to compare our species to the northern hatches and it does not fit into their pattern. We are a month ahead of everywhere else and twice as long in many cases. Some hatches seem to be identifiable and then some defy easy categorization.

DarkDun

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Nov 20, 2006November 20th, 2006, 4:48 pm EST
Dark Dun,

Welcome. I'm sure you can find someone here that can help you sort out the Southern variations. While we Mid-Atlantic guys like to monopolize things, Jason has attracted extremely helpful and knowledgeable folks from all over. Litobrancha operates out of UT Knoxville--I'd bet anything that he's got a pretty good handle on most of what hatches in your neck of the woods. If you're interested in trout and the bugs they eat, you're among friends!
Konchu
Konchu's profile picture
Site Editor
Indiana

Posts: 498
Konchu on Nov 23, 2006November 23rd, 2006, 4:08 pm EST
I've got a little experience with SE mayflies. Try me.
Greenwolly
Southern W.Va baby

Posts: 2
Greenwolly on May 21, 2008May 21st, 2008, 2:11 pm EDT
yeah i live in the southeast and iam tryin to learn about our hatches i just cant get em straight i rekon that is because i dont comprehened what i read i learn better by hands on but i would love for someone to come to southern west virginia or anywhere where we have the same hatches so maybe i can learn a lil more about our specific kinds of hatches
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