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.
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This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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Summer_doug has attached these 3 pictures to this report. The message is below.
Report at a Glance
| Time of Day | 8am to 3pm |
| Fish Caught | Brook Trout |
| Conditions & Hatches | None |
Details and Discussion
Summer_doug on Jun 18, 2018June 18th, 2018, 11:01 pm EDT
Was able to take a couple new fly fishermen to the Mason Tract on the south branch where we targeted primarily brook trout. Although we saw what appeared to be some sporadic sulphurs hatching, none of the fish were caught on that pattern. Instead, the patriot ruled the day accounting for 7 of the ten fish caught.
Nothing of substantial size, but absolutely beautiful fish and environs.
Nothing of substantial size, but absolutely beautiful fish and environs.
From Michigan
Jmd123 on Jun 19, 2018June 19th, 2018, 4:44 am EDT
Nice looking water! And brookies are always so pretty...well done!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Martinlf on Jun 19, 2018June 19th, 2018, 11:17 am EDT
Nice work. Thanks!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Partsman on Jun 20, 2018June 20th, 2018, 1:00 am EDT
Well done, nice looking fish.
TimCat on Jun 20, 2018June 20th, 2018, 1:51 pm EDT
Nice! I love me some brookies.
Ya know, I'm on my 4th year of fly fishing in MI and I still haven't gone to the trout stretches of the Au Sable yet... I think this summer will be the time.
Ya know, I'm on my 4th year of fly fishing in MI and I still haven't gone to the trout stretches of the Au Sable yet... I think this summer will be the time.
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" - Bob Lawless
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