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.

Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Stream photos

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Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

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.

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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.

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Mysis Shrimp

FredH

Lake Charles , Louisiana

Posts: 108

FredH on Nov 15, 2012November 15th, 2012, 2:34 am EST

This is tied on a size #18 and it has ginger colored pice of spanflex tied into the carapace to mimic the ones I see where I fish. What size and color are the most common where you fish?

http://www.realisticflytying.net

Gutcutter

Pennsylvania

Posts: 470

Gutcutter on Nov 15, 2012November 15th, 2012, 12:50 pm EST

I'll take a dozen. Opaque gray. Size 18

All men who fish may in turn be divided into two parts: those who fish for trout and those who don't. Trout fishermen are a race apart: they are a dedicated crew- indolent, improvident, and quietly mad.

-Robert Traver, Trout Madness

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Nov 16, 2012November 16th, 2012, 5:50 pm EST

Beautiful fly, Fred. You captured the transparency of the natural very well. Anglers whose opinions I value and who also have experience with this critter tell me that this characteristic is the most important one to imitate. My understanding is that they look virtually clear in the water. Apparently, the duller versions with a lot of white don't work as well.

"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

FredH

Lake Charles , Louisiana

Posts: 108

FredH on Nov 17, 2012November 17th, 2012, 6:01 pm EST

Thank you Sir , I appreciate the comment.
Fred

http://www.realisticflytying.net