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.

I spent more than an hour casting to several rising trout in this pool and caught only two. Its clear water and tricky currents harbor dozens of free-rising, usually very hard-to-catch fish.

From Enfield Creek in New York

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.

10 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.

Trailing shuck

Baetis (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph

13 Pictures

Dorsal view of a Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mongaup Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Collected May 5, 2007 from Mongaup Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Sare
Posts: 2

Sare on Mar 23, 2016March 23rd, 2016, 3:48 pm EDT

I may be nieve but when it comes to trailing shucks I use what ever color poly or antron that's handy.
The Trout don't seem to care.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Mar 23, 2016March 23rd, 2016, 5:29 pm EDT

Ah, how do you know? Some trout may care, and some may not. A scientific poll is what is needed here, with specific questions that will allow each trout to give his or her opinion. Different trout from different streams would need to be polled. The results might be surprising.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell