Header image
Enter a name
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 Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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.

Martinlf has attached this picture to this report. The message is below.

Report at a Glance

General RegionPennsylvania
Specific LocationCentral PA
Dates FishedApril 9, 2019
Time of Daymorning
Fish CaughtBrowns
Conditions & HatchesBreezy, grannoms hatching, fish eating

Details and Discussion

Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Apr 9, 2019April 9th, 2019, 11:09 am EDT
Another good day on the water.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Apr 12, 2019April 12th, 2019, 2:58 pm EDT
A lovely wild brown trout from a very popular central PA trout stream.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Adirman
Adirman's profile picture
Monticello, NY

Posts: 479
Adirman on Apr 13, 2019April 13th, 2019, 4:08 am EDT
Sweet fish, thanks for sharing 😊
Partsman
Partsman's profile picture
bancroft michigan

Posts: 321
Partsman on Apr 18, 2019April 18th, 2019, 11:32 am EDT
Wow, Martin! beautiful fish, im officially jealous! Hopefully things will start popping soon. But for now I will enjoy your pictures and descriptions of the flies and waters you are fishing. Please keep them coming, thanks.
Mike.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Apr 30, 2019April 30th, 2019, 4:22 pm EDT
Thanks, Guys. Tight lines and good fishing to you.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Quick Reply

Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy