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.

Stream photos

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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

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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.

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.

Proud Father Moment!

Pryal74

Escanaba, MI

Posts: 168

Pryal74 on Apr 22, 2012April 22nd, 2012, 9:07 pm EDT

The water levels on one of my favorite Steelhead rivers finally dropped to the lowest I have seen this year. I actually felt safe enough about it to take my daughter out fly fishing for an afternoon. Varilya landed a huge Steelhead on the fly, her first ever. It was an extremely intense battle... which I could have had ten heart attacks. I am beyond proud of my little girl!

-James Pryal
Into The Wild Fly Fishing

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 4:42 am EDT

Well done Varilya!! She looks like "a chip off the old block" there, James! Fishing prowess must run in your bloodline. That's a very nicely colored fish too, which I'm sure pleased your daughter. What rod and fly pattern did she use?

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

Pryal74

Escanaba, MI

Posts: 168

Pryal74 on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 6:44 am EDT

We were just drifting a size 10 Black Stonefly nymph through a swift run with a tiny split shot about a foot up the tippet. I always use my 7 wt 10 foot Sage Flight. The water is lower so I took my indicator off. I told her if the line stopped to raise up. She did it flawlessly.

I was so worried she would wipe out in the rocks when it screamed downstream. She followed the fish and kept her rod high like a pro. She was so happy when I got him in the net. I'm so glad she caught one on her first time out.

Thanks Jonathon.

-James Pryal
Into The Wild Fly Fishing

Jesse

Posts: 378

Jesse on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 9:26 am EDT

My goodness Gracious my man that is one spectacular fish, especially given the circumstances of her age and first steelhead! Spectacular for both of you guys, congratulations!

Most of us fish our whole lives..not knowing its not the fish that we are after.
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com

Crepuscular