Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York

Blue-winged Olives
Baetis

Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.

The trees were leafing out and the trout were rising on this productive Wisconsin stream

From the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Stream photos

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Epeorus albertae (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph Epeorus albertae (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington

This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.

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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.

Hex in NC???

CalebBoyle has attached these 2 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.

CalebBoyle
Charlotte, NC

Posts: 11

CalebBoyle on May 23, 2007May 23rd, 2007, 2:27 pm EDT

Hi guys,

I found this female mayfly near where I live and wanted to see what you all thought about it. It was found in gaston county (near Charlotte) in North Carolina. When I first glanced at it I thought it must be some kind of drake, but quickly realized it couldn't be. There are only 2 tails and this monster is 36-37mm long. I have never heard of Hexagenia in North Carolina, but isn't this a H. limbata? If so what records are there for NC hatches and how common are they? Most of the pictures that I have seen of limbata have darker markings on the abdomen, but then what other mayfly is this size other than a Litobrancha recurvata?

Caleb Boyle

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on May 23, 2007May 23rd, 2007, 3:03 pm EDT

Nice photos, Caleb. You have (3) Hexagenia species in N. Carolina, H. atrocaudata, H. bilineata, and H. limbata. However, given its size and date of emergence, it is almost certainly H. limbata. Incidentally, notice the characteristic vestigal terminal filament! That is one I've been saving for you, Gonzo.

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on May 23, 2007May 23rd, 2007, 3:20 pm EDT

It's H. limbata. That's a widely variable species, and back in the 1940s it was actually broken into about 6 sub-species with different looks and geographic ranges. The sub-species aren't considered valid anymore (it's all just one undivided species now, I think) but the point is that H. limbata comes in many flavors.

Somebody recently emailed me asking me to identify one from Texas, too.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on May 23, 2007May 23rd, 2007, 4:08 pm EDT

Roger--Thanks for the terminal filament reference. You've been saving that one for a while!

Caleb--Beautiful specimen! The variability in color/markings that Jason mentions always amazes me when I view specimens of this transcontinental species.

CalebBoyle
Charlotte, NC

Posts: 11

CalebBoyle on May 24, 2007May 24th, 2007, 8:43 am EDT

Thanks guys for the confirmations-- I had just never heard about limbata this far south. I agree Gonzo, I have seen some photos of color variations that are really different.

Caleb