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.

Stream photos

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Onocosmoecus (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Onocosmoecus (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

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.

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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.

Miscellaneous

Landscape & scenery photos from Miscellaneous

On my way to a favorite brook trout stream, I spotted several sandhill cranes in a Wisconsin farm field.

From Rusk County, WI in Wisconsin

On-stream insect photos from Miscellaneous

These caddisflies were thick over the water in the evening on a cold, clear northwoods lake. They were in many places on the lake, all closer to the shady shore, which also was the shore most sheltered from the wind. I'm not sure which of those features attracted them.

From Lake Owen in Wisconsin

This is Nectopsyche albida. Elongate wing connotes female.

From Lake Owen in Wisconsin

This spider lives in the rocks streambed of a Catskill trout stream.

From unknown in Wisconsin

Videos from Miscellaneous

Two Phryganeidae caddis larvae fighting over a case

Caddisfly larvae of this family can easily leave and re-enters their cases. I caught two of them playing musical chairs or something with this one... funny!

Featuring: Phryganeidae Caddisfly Larva

Shot on Feb 29, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Hexagenia

This is one of the earliest videos I made, and I was experimenting with a tank and background that didn't work very well.

Featuring: Hexagenia limbata Mayfly Nymph

Shot on Jan 11, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006

Water Boatman Rowing

Water boatmen are excellent swimmers, and you can see here how they use their oars to push themselves through the water, a motion easily imitated by the fly fisher.

Featuring: Corixidae True Bug Adult

Shot on Jan 30, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on Mar 30, 2006