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.

The Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington

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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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.

C'mon spring, Page 2

PaulRoberts

Colorado

Posts: 1776

PaulRoberts on Mar 6, 2016March 6th, 2016, 2:38 am EST

Nice day, Louis.

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 6, 2016March 6th, 2016, 12:50 pm EST

Oh, so that is a green fish, well here is a brown fish.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

PaulRoberts

Colorado

Posts: 1776

PaulRoberts on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 5:35 am EST

Yes! I too am a bass nut as well as a Troutnut.

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 9:06 am EST

Make that three of us!! We are melting gloriously today and it is only a matter of time now before I can hit Clark's Marsh up here and Sylvan Glen Lake in my hometown. Woolly Buggers away!

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

Roguerat

Posts: 456

Roguerat on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 11:17 am EST

(almost) Spring...

I spent midday on the Muskegon below Croton today, a good 3 hours on the water swinging streamers for uncooperative steelhead...first time out with the switch rod and despite some minor embarrassing moments a welcome relief from cabin fever and snow.

58 degrees by 1 pm and I didn't want to leave even though the kids are coming home from college today- hard choices!

Real spring is just a few weeks away now and I'm hoping the weather stays mild enough to get out more and more.

Tight lines, all!

Roguerat

'Less is more...'

Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 3:23 pm EST

Car is loaded with steelhead rods, gear, and food for four days. Leaving home at 1:00 a.m. plan to arrive at motel by 7:00 a.m and be fishing by 8:00. Hopefully a good report with pictures of chrome will be posted upon my return. Yippee!

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 3:25 pm EST

Paul, I just love those big smallmouth. No need to be too technical either. A small box of Clouser minnows and crayfish, a couple poppers and a spool of 3X and a clipper and off you go.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Mar 7, 2016March 7th, 2016, 5:41 pm EST

Matt, nice chunky smallmouth like the above rise on Cooke Pond to mayflies and caddisflies, including the Hex. I also do well with WBs and KBFs. Looking forward to it all!

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

PaulRoberts

Colorado

Posts: 1776

PaulRoberts on Mar 8, 2016March 8th, 2016, 5:54 am EST

Nice. LOVE those brown ones. And the green ones. And the spotted ones. And...