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.

Middle Fork Snoqualmie

From the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

Stream photos

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Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

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.

7 Recently Added Photos

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 nymph tied fly

Hexagenia limbata (Hex) Mayfly Nymph

9 Pictures

Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Collected June 7, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on May 26, 2006

Collected June 7, 2005 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on May 26, 2006

Dwrbfrear
Posts: 1

Dwrbfrear on Jan 24, 2012January 24th, 2012, 5:45 am EST

I use several baits(spawn/bags) for spring steelhead fishing and would like to tie my own flies. What are the materials/hook sizes needed? Thanks

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Jan 24, 2012January 24th, 2012, 2:48 pm EST

You are asking for an awful lot of data and information for a first time poster. I'd suggect you Google "Flies needed for spring steelhead". Then when you get a few anwsers copy down the names of those flies and Google "fly pattern recipe for XXXXX" You fill in the name of the fly. I'd recommend Hares Ear, Prince, Pheasant Tail, Black stone fly al in sizes #12 - #16. Have fun.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.