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.
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This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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Rjmarston on Jun 16, 2012June 16th, 2012, 12:22 pm EDT
So its mid June, and i just built my first fly rod! Im planning a trip over to the rush river in western central WI for early july, and am super excited to start my fly fishing career. Ive done some lake fly fishing and fished some small creeks for panfish but never fished for trout before. Im wondering if anybody knows a good place to start on the river, and a good method to start fishing with! Also if anybody has been there lately and could tell me what sort of nymphs, and dries to bring. Thanks in advance to any and all helpful advice!
forever a rookie, advice is welcome :)
Martinlf on Jun 19, 2012June 19th, 2012, 7:00 pm EDT
Not my stompin' ground, but I'll wish you well. I remember building my first rod and the delight in fishing it. I think there are some WI guys who post here, and if they find your post, they'll probably have an idea or two. Go get 'em.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell