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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.

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
With a bit of help from the microscope, this specimen keys clearly and unsurprisingly to Hydropsyche.
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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Artistic view of a Female Ephemera varia (Ephemeridae) (Yellow Drake) Mayfly Dun from Aquarium in New York
This yellow drake dun hatched out of my aquarium over a month before her brethren in the wild are slated to emerge. She seems a bit small, and that might be the reason.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on May 21, 2007May 21st, 2007, 6:35 am EDT
This is a fine specimen of one of the prettiest mayflies, Jason. She is small compared to some limestone specimens, but well within range for the species. I've collected varia males as small as 12mm, but many of the limestone females are 19-20mm. I think premature hatching is to be expected in aquaria.

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