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.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Namfos on Nov 19, 2015November 19th, 2015, 5:19 am EST
I'm a very sporadic visitor to this site, but I often send anglers new to entomology here. And IMO one of the best things here are the photos.
That being said, our club forum here in the DC area had this question posted:
Why don't fish eat water striders?
Secondarily, my experience with water striders on moving water, such as the Potomac, is that if water striders are present, fish will NOT be present. Or is this an old wives tale?
Namfos
That being said, our club forum here in the DC area had this question posted:
Why don't fish eat water striders?
Secondarily, my experience with water striders on moving water, such as the Potomac, is that if water striders are present, fish will NOT be present. Or is this an old wives tale?
Namfos
Millcreek on Nov 19, 2015November 19th, 2015, 5:59 am EST
Namfos,
The reason water striders are not eaten is because of a scent gland on their thorax which evidently gives off a smell which is unappreciated by fish in general.
I've seen trout swimming below water striders. Not too commonly, but it happens.
Mark
The reason water striders are not eaten is because of a scent gland on their thorax which evidently gives off a smell which is unappreciated by fish in general.
I've seen trout swimming below water striders. Not too commonly, but it happens.
Mark
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