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.

View from atop the permafrost slump

From the Selawik River in Alaska

Stream photos

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Coleoptera (Beetle) Insect Larva Coleoptera (Beetle) Insect Larva

Lateral view of a Coleoptera (Beetle) Insect Larva from Sears Creek in Washington

6 Recently Added Photos

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.

Site updates from March 22, 2013

Closeup insects by Entoman from the Lower Yuba River in California

Female Skwala curvata (Large Springfly) Stonefly Adult

2 Pictures

Female Skwala curvata (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Adult from the Lower Yuba River in California

This female dropped her eggs just before this photo was snapped. The distinctive notch in the subgenital plate identifies the species. An interesting observation is how active they get when exposed to direct sunlight. Trying to stage this specimen was most difficult. In the shade it would calm right down, but when exposed to direct sun it would immediately go nuts, scampering all over quickly without pause. Perhaps this explains why they don't seem to be found out and about on overcast days, but if the sun peeks out... She was 24 mm long, head to wingtip.

Collected March 21, 2013 from the Lower Yuba River in California

Added by Entoman on March 27, 2013

Collected March 21, 2013 from the Lower Yuba River in California and added by Entoman on March 27, 2013

Hesperoperla pacifica (Golden Stone) Stonefly Nymph

1 Picture

Hesperoperla pacifica (Perlidae) (Golden Stone) Stonefly Nymph from the Lower Yuba River in California

This monster started to feed within a few minutes of sharing the inspection tray with its victims. This nymph is a voracious predator of small invertebrates and has even been noted for feeding on small fish and salmonid alevins. The niche it fills in fast water is equivalent to the Dragonfly nymphs that inhabit slower water.

Hesperoperla pacifica nymphs are easily distinguished from other western perlids by the presence of anal gills (obfuscated by algae in the tray) in combination with an hour glass shaped pale mark on the front of their heads.

Collected March 21, 2013 from the Lower Yuba River in California

Added by Entoman on April 4, 2013

Collected March 21, 2013 from the Lower Yuba River in California and added by Entoman on April 4, 2013