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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 Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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 # 89

I caught several wild and colorful 8-9 inch brook trout in the clear little pool below this waterfall.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
For how many years, I wonder, have these huge slabs of rock sheltered wild brook trout?

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
This little pool shelters some eager small-stream brook trout.  You can see this pool from underwater, too.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
No method of casting in my arsenal was capable of presenting a fly to the brook trout in this hidden pool.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Underwater photos from Mystery Creek # 89

Here's another view of the pool under the waterfall shown in this picture.  This time one of the pool's many brook trout is visible, but well-camouflaged.  Can you find it?

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
This little pool shelters some eager small-stream brook trout, though I caught or frightened them before I took the picture.  You can see this pool from above the water, too.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
The rock wall across the picture is at least 15 feet away -- this is extremely clear water in a tiny Catskill stream.  This plunge pool to a large waterfall holds many brook trout in the 8-9 inch range but they hide too well to spot in this photo.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
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