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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 Epeorus albertae (Heptageniidae) (Pink Lady) Mayfly Nymph from the East Fork Issaquah Creek in Washington
This specimen keys to the Epeorus albertae group of species. Of the five species in that group, the two known in Washington state are Epeorus albertae and Epeorus dulciana. Of the two, albertae has been collected in vastly more locations in Washington than dulciana, suggesting it is far more common. On that basis alone I'm tentatively putting this nymph in albertae, with the large caveat that there's no real information to rule out dulciana.
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.
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Dorsal view of a Brachycentrus (Brachycentridae) (Grannom) Caddisfly Pupa from Cayuta Creek in New York
The green blob contained in this case is a pupa in the early stages of transformation from larva to the final stage we generally picture and imitate. This specimen and several like it were fixed to a rock I picked up, and each one had the front of its case sealed off, protecting the helpless pupa from predation. It's neat to see the insect part-way through such a radical transformation.

It was very hard to extract this thing from its case, so there's a bit of extra goo near the head from where I accidentally punctured it.
Powderfinge
Powderfinge's profile picture
3 corners

Posts: 11
Powderfinge on Jan 8, 2017January 8th, 2017, 10:52 pm EST
what pattern/colors do u find effective? thanks
PABrownie
PABrownie's profile picture
Gallitzin PA

Posts: 42
PABrownie on Jan 9, 2017January 9th, 2017, 12:57 am EST
Jeez man, I already responded to your other grannom post, but I didn't realize you were talking about the j! Seriously, grannom soft hackles are freakin killers !
Feathers5
Posts: 287
Feathers5 on Jan 9, 2017January 9th, 2017, 2:35 am EST
I use a size 16 gray hackle peacock. You may be able to use a size 14 early in the hatch. Just like PABrownie says, "they're freakin' killers.
Powderfinge
Powderfinge's profile picture
3 corners

Posts: 11
Powderfinge on Jan 9, 2017January 9th, 2017, 3:03 pm EST
thanks
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Jan 9, 2017January 9th, 2017, 10:57 pm EST
Please do a Forum search for prior Grannom threads there are likely pages of posts.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf
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Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 10, 2017January 10th, 2017, 1:26 pm EST
Or just look below at "Related Discussions."
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

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