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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.

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.

Underwater photos from the Couderay River

The Couderay River in Wisconsin
The Couderay River in Wisconsin

On-stream insect photos from the Couderay River

This nighttime flash photograph shows a bunch of Ephoron mayflies flying around during the hatch.  So many of them fly around with their dun shucks attached that it seems like they molt from the dun to spinner stage in mid-air.  Actually they molt on streamside vegetation like other mayflies, but they sometimes take off to mate before they're completely finished.

From the Couderay River in Wisconsin

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the Couderay River in Wisconsin

Female Stenacron (Heptageniidae) (Light Cahill) Mayfly Dun from the Couderay River in Wisconsin
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