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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.

Dorsal view of a Limnephilidae (Giant Sedges) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
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.

Here's what lived inside.

Dorsal view of a Rheotanytarsus (Chironomidae) Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
This peculiar midge lived in a case tightly fixed to a rock, with several others of its kind. The case seems to be made of tiny grains of sand. I'm not sure what the function is for the little lines sticking out the front, because they aren't legs.
Mike28
Mike28's profile picture
marquette,mi

Posts: 1
Mike28 on Mar 27, 2014March 27th, 2014, 7:57 pm EDT
I have a small tank with some of these on the rocks and noticed the midges coming out and cleaning the lines so I talked to my stream ecology professor and he told me I have rheotanytarsus and along those lines there are small lines of silk that they use to collect food just in case anyone was still wondering.
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 28, 2014March 28th, 2014, 5:32 am EDT
Welcome to the forum, Mike! Thanks for the info. One of the great things about this site is that your post is linked to the specimen for future reference. Are you majoring in biology?
"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

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