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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.

Lateral view of a Onocosmoecus (Limnephilidae) (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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.

About "Mystery Creeks": If you recognize one of these, you already understand why I'm keeping it a secret. I'm not as strict as some anglers about hiding where I fish, mostly because I don't expect to substantially affect fishing pressure on already well-known or simply unpopular waters. But there are some gems where I don't want to add a single unfamiliar bootprint to the mix, due to the fishing, their wild character, or keeping a friend's secret. They're all "Mystery Creek" here—even the lakes.

Landscape & scenery photos from Mystery Creek # 23

The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
This beautiful brookie comes from a very remote, crystal-clear small stream in the Catskills.
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
Lena wading across the riffle to catch up with me.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The clear little stream I was fishing is fed by a tiny tributary running across a beautiful bed of nothing but moss.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York

Underwater photos from Mystery Creek # 23

Well, this is one way to make 'em pose... keep them on the line!

This one settled next to the camera pretty nicely as soon as I let off the tension.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
I love this mossy plant on so many of the rocks in this stream.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
Not a bad home if you're a brook trout.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
Underwater moss and riffle bubbles.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
The Mystery Creek # 23 in New York
I got a nice picture of the pool these salamander larvae inhabit a few weeks later.

From the Mystery Creek # 23 in New York

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

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