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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.

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.
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Landscape & scenery photos from the West Branch of Owego Creek

The NY DEC has installed these trout habitat improvements on a small upstate stream.  I found that most fish in the stream orient to them.

From the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York
The NY DEC has installed these trout habitat improvements on a small upstate stream.  I found that most fish in the stream orient to them.

From the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York
The NY DEC has installed these trout habitat improvements on a small upstate stream.  I found that most fish in the stream orient to them.

From the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York
The West Branch of Owego Creek in New York
The West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

Underwater photos from the West Branch of Owego Creek

The West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

On-stream insect photos from the West Branch of Owego Creek

Several Isonychia bicolor nymphs had recently crawled out onto these rocks to emerge, leaving behind their telltale shucks.

From the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York
Closeup of some recently emerged Isonychia bicolor nymphs from a small stream.

From the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the West Branch of Owego Creek in New York

References

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