Brown Drakes
Like most common names, "Brown Drake" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 2 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
Mayfly Species Ephemera simulans
These are pretty much always called Brown Drakes.
The Brown Drakes are a favorite hatch of many in the Midwest, and they make a good showing on localized waters across the country. They are usually the first in a series of big drakes which bring large trout to the surface at twilight and into the early hours of the night.
Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Nymph
View 10 Pictures
View 10 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Jan 31, 2004
Added Jan 25, 2006
Male Ephemera simulans (Brown Drake) Mayfly Spinner
View 7 Pictures
View 7 PicturesRegion: Upper Midwest
Collected Jun 2, 2005
Added May 25, 2006
See 12 more specimens...
Mayfly Species Litobrancha recurvata
These are very rarely called Brown Drakes.
This is the largest species of mayfly in North America. Sometimes it appears together with the Hexagenia limbata hatch or the Ephemera guttulata hatch, but in other places it creates excellent action on its own.
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