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.

The North Fork Couer d'Alene River in Idaho

Stream photos

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Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

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In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

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.

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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.

The white winged curse!

Partsman

bancroft michigan

Posts: 321

Partsman on Jul 30, 2020July 30th, 2020, 9:13 am EDT

Well, I have been bitten hard by the white winged curse, Tricos are driving me crazy! I get up at 2:30 am and make the two and half drive to my favorite river, then get to my favorite spot and wait. It has been a wonderful season as far as fish caught, although all of the circumstances of this year have really sucked. But god help me I love this trico fishing, and then the olives that come a little later. Fish rising, and the sky just above my head filled with little white winged devils! Im a work in progress on this fishing, but this is so cool and I think what dry fly fishing is all about. I caught some huge fish early this summer at night, and that was fun, but this is better. I just need to figure out the right pattern, which Im working on. I hope all of you flyfishers are finding some joy in these trying times! And if I can lend a hand let me know, because at 63 years young Im just a rookie at this to!
Mike.

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Jul 30, 2020July 30th, 2020, 12:29 pm EDT

Talk to Louis. He ties a reverse Trico spinner that he does well with. I enjoy Tricos but can't see the fly. I tie a #18 Adams parachute to a long 6X tippet and then add another 2" of 6X to which I tie the Trico. When the Adams is pulled under I know a trout ate the Trico. I often have success with a sunken spinner. Just add a tiny black bead to the hook before tying a standard spinner.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Afishinado
SE PA

Posts: 75

Afishinado on Jul 31, 2020July 31st, 2020, 12:02 am EDT

Well, I have been bitten hard by the white winged curse, Tricos are driving me crazy! I get up at 2:30 am and make the two and half drive to my favorite river, then get to my favorite spot and wait. It has been a wonderful season as far as fish caught, although all of the circumstances of this year have really sucked. But god help me I love this trico fishing, and then the olives that come a little later. Fish rising, and the sky just above my head filled with little white winged devils! Im a work in progress on this fishing, but this is so cool and I think what dry fly fishing is all about. I caught some huge fish early this summer at night, and that was fun, but this is better. I just need to figure out the right pattern, which Im working on. I hope all of you flyfishers are finding some joy in these trying times! And if I can lend a hand let me know, because at 63 years young Im just a rookie at this to!
Mike.

Al Miller's Trico pattern is easy to tie and very effective for imitating Trico spinners > https://midcurrent.com/videos/tying-the-als-trico/

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jul 31, 2020July 31st, 2020, 5:59 am EDT

Mike, there are some Trico threads I'll bump up. My favorite spinner is a reverse parachute. I tie some with colored posts for glare, etc. Black is good in severe glare, and a Puglisi fiber fire red post can be seen from afar. I've had pressured wild fish eat it plenty of times. Try Tiemco 2488's for gap, or Varivas midge hooks. Al Miller's pattern is the bomb too. My spinner was inspired by it.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Sep 26, 2020September 26th, 2020, 8:58 am EDT

In 2018 I fished size 20 Renegades during trico mornings in the fall - only caught small brookies (my ususal ... LOL) but they were hitting on 'em.