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.

Two major forks of this grayling stream come together in this pretty pool.

From the Chena River in Alaska

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.

Finally got an October Caddis

By Troutnut on September 28th, 2017

I've been itching to photograph one of these for years and had an unexpected opportunity tonight when this one flew into a house full of aquatic scientists. It's the first insect I've collected for this site by chasing it around a kitchen with a tupperware container.

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

Female Dicosmoecus gilvipes (October Caddis) Caddisfly Adult

16 Pictures

Female Dicosmoecus gilvipes (Limnephilidae) (October Caddis) Caddisfly Adult from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

I've been hoping to add a really good October Caddis to the photo collection here for years, but so far I had struck out on finding them on the river. Tonight, this one flew into the kitchen during a pizza party at a house along the river, and was quickly pointed out -- one of the perks of hanging out with other aquatic biologists! Maybe next year I can finally get a salmonfly on taco night or something.

Collected September 28, 2017 from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

Added by Troutnut on September 29, 2017

Collected September 28, 2017 from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington and added by Troutnut on September 29, 2017

Comments / replies

Creno
Grants Pass, OR

Posts: 302

Creno on Sep 30, 2017September 30th, 2017, 1:23 pm EDT

Great Dicosmoecus pics Jason. I presume you kept it :-) The globular 9th I think I am seeing and the very dark, contrasting vein coloration are more typical of D. gilvipes. If you kept it take a good look at the spur count. D. atripes is 1-2-2 while D. gilvipes is 1-3-4. From what I can see the meso-tibia in several of the pics have 3 spurs. However, I am fairly sure fish don't count spurs :-) Have fun
creno

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Sep 30, 2017September 30th, 2017, 2:24 pm EDT

Thanks Dave. I was wondering about that, after looking up the paper with the spur counts after taking the pictures. I thought from the pictures it looked more like 1-2-2, but your comment prompted me to go back and check it under the dissecting microscope. It's 1-3-4, clear as day. I just don't have as good an eye for spurs versus those smaller spikes on the legs in the photos, but the difference was really obvious under the scope.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Wiflyfisher

Wisconsin

Posts: 622

Wiflyfisher on Oct 6, 2017October 6th, 2017, 2:47 am EDT

Jason, excellent!

Now that WI has an extended inland trout season I have been on the hunt for the elusive Great Autumn Brown Sedges (Pycnopsyche), especially the pupae. So far no success.

John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com