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.

This little pool in update New York is enjoyed by many tourists every day, and it still holds a few trout -- stockers mostly, but you can't complain about the setting!

From Mystery Creek # 62 in New York

Stream photos

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Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph

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.

17 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.

Need an excuse to buy new rods

Barbaube

France

Posts: 9

Barbaube on Jan 14, 2020January 14th, 2020, 5:33 am EST

Happy New Year!

I have already 4 rods I use for trout fishing, in rivers and lakes.

- 7'6ft 4wt glass for creeks and intimate water
- 9ft 4wt for medium rivers
- 10ft 4wt for euro nymphing, large rivers and lakes
- 9ft 6 wt for streamers or windy conditions

Objectively, the only rod I would maybe, maybe need is an 8wt for fishing big streamers on lakes...

The problem is that I like toys and I have found a great deal on an 8ft 2wt and an 8ft 4wt, both have progressive actions. But where would these rods fit in my quiver? What do these respective rod do best? I'm looking for an excuse to by one or the other, so any suggestion is welcome!

Thanks,

N.

Red_green_h

New Mexico

Posts: 64

Red_green_h on Jan 15, 2020January 15th, 2020, 10:18 am EST

My favorite rod is my 6' 2wt that I fish on small mountains streams and some small ponds. I only throw small dries with this rod. I will fish with an indicator and a San Juan worm or a nymph but it's hard to throw it with the indicator so I do a lot of slingshot casts or float it into position. My first rod ever was a 8' 4wt that I always enjoy breaking out. Sorta my first love. My first fish fly fishing was caught on that rod. Doesn't quite have the guts I want for larger flies but for the delicate presentation of a size 14-20 Royal Wulff about 20-30 ft out it's my go to. I bring it on every trip I go. I've also used both of these rods using small dries for panfish also. These guys on this forum have a lot more expertise than myself but hopefully my 2 cents will at least be helpful.