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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 Ranatra (Nepidae) Water Scorpion Adult from unknown in Wisconsin
Here's a big water scorpion (no relation to actual scorpions). These guys are just about the most sinister-looking creatures you could find, and what's especially creepy is that they can come up out of the water and fly around, as I learned when one left my aquarium and buzzed my head while I was peeking into the microscope at a mayfly nymph.
DMM
Posts: 34
DMM on Jan 18, 2007January 18th, 2007, 5:21 pm EST
Ranatra
David
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Bellevue, WA

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Troutnut on Jan 18, 2007January 18th, 2007, 5:29 pm EST
Thanks. :)

I found one of the big robust ones from one of the other genera a couple weeks ago while seining a small "warmwater" (albeit half-frozen) stream with my dad to catch minnows for our aquarium. I was hoping to get some pics, although I didn't have my good photo gear with me, but the thing flew away inside our house while we weren't looking. It never turned up, so odds are the labrador retriever ate it...
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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