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 "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.

11 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.

Site updates from July 1, 2017

Photos by Troutnut from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Female Ephemerellidae (Hendricksons, Sulphurs, PMDs, BWOs) Mayfly Dun

6 Pictures

This one was collected in association with a male spinner, but they appear to be different families.

Collected June 30, 2017 from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Added by Troutnut on July 2, 2017

Collected June 30, 2017 from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington and added by Troutnut on July 2, 2017

Male Cinygmula (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Spinner

11 Pictures

Lateral view of a Male Cinygmula (Heptageniidae) (Dark Red Quill) Mayfly Spinner from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

I'm unsure of the ID on this one; keys put it closest to Cinygmula reticulata, but I'm very doubtful of the species and not positive on the genus. Epeorus is another possibility, but I don't know which species it would be.

This one was collected in association with a female dun probably of a different family.

Collected June 30, 2017 from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington

Added by Troutnut on July 2, 2017

Collected June 30, 2017 from the South Fork Stillaguamish River in Washington and added by Troutnut on July 2, 2017

Comments / replies

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jul 2, 2017July 2nd, 2017, 12:25 pm EDT

Beautiful photos, Jason.

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

--Fred Chappell

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Jul 2, 2017July 2nd, 2017, 12:31 pm EDT

Gorgeous! Reminds me of Oregon, including the heavily-spotted rainbows in the McKenzie River. Looks like some nice bigleaf maples in the background on the last photo. Gotta get back to that part of the world again sometime...

Jonathon

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