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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.

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

This first picture is in the dun stage.

Male Baetis tricaudatus (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from the  Touchet River in Washington
Male Neoleptophlebia heteronea (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from the  Touchet River in Washington

Comments / replies

Marsha
Posts: 1
Marsha on Jun 12, 2012June 12th, 2012, 2:41 pm EDT
Jason, I work for a not-for-profit company, Professor Garfield, which, in conjunction with the state of Indiana and Ball State University, is putting together an educational web-site for migrant children. We are building science modules. One of our needs for our life cycle modules are photo/video images of dragonfly nymphs, eggs, and dragonflies laying eggs. Would you give permission for us to use your video/photo of a dragonfly nymph? Do you have and could we use any other dragonfly life stage images you have?

Best to you-- Marsha Jacobson
Martinlf
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Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jun 12, 2012June 12th, 2012, 6:09 pm EDT
Marsha, you might PM Jason directly. I don't know how busy he is, but if he's in the field he might not check in immediately. A PM may show up on his email, alerting him to your request.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Troutnut
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Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Jun 12, 2012June 12th, 2012, 6:23 pm EDT
Marsha, you're welcome to use anything I have here on the site. I don't have anything other than what's online, though.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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