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 Upper to Lower Titcomb Lake

From Titcomb Basin in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Sweltsa (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph Sweltsa (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Sweltsa (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This species was fairly abundant in a February sample of the upper Yakima.

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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.

cased caddis pattern

Mcjames
Cortland Manor, NY

Posts: 139

Mcjames on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 3:26 am EDT

last year I collected a caddis larva with a case constructed of small twigs. I "evicted" the worm, varnished the case, and glued it to a weighted hook with an imitation of the peeking caddis head. question: is this legal and/or ethical? or will using this fly make me a bait fisherman? I havent had the chance to try it yet.

I am haunted by waters

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 4:51 am EDT

question: is this legal and/or ethical?

James, as long as collecting the larva was legal, the question of fishing the case as part of an imitation would depend upon where you fish. On some special regulation waters it might not meet the legal critera for a "fly" and on others it probably would. As for the ethical part, I'll leave that entirely for you to decide. Many have used this approach to imitating cased larvae before, but I've never heard much about the effectiveness of the resulting "fly."

IEatimago
Spring Mills, PA

Posts: 97

IEatimago on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 10:43 am EDT

is it common for it to be illegal to collect insects?

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 10:49 am EDT

I haven't read the NYS regulations recently, but here in PA, aquatic larvae are considered "fishbait" and are limited to 50/day. On many of our special regulation streams, collection is not legal.

IEatimago
Spring Mills, PA

Posts: 97

IEatimago on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 2:18 pm EDT

good to know.
i will have to find if its legal in my local water's

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 5, 2007July 5th, 2007, 2:26 pm EDT

I wouldn't sweat it too much, Jasen. Unless you're regularly seining hundreds of them and planning to set up a streamside baitstand, you're probably fine. I would avoid collecting in special reg. areas restricted to flies and lures though.