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 specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
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Hellgrammites
Hellgrammites are the fearsome predatory larvae of the dobsonflies. Unlike mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies, their life cycle does not include specific points of vulnerability, but the larvae end up in the drift often enough to be important to trout. (Note: Some would say that technically only larvae of the Corydalus genus are hellgrammites, but anglers widely use the term for all larvae in the family.)
This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.
Insect Family Corydalidae
These are often called Hellgrammites.
Hellgrammites are the vicious larvae of the Dobsonflies, some of the only trout stream insects which pose a biting threat to the angler. The pincers of the adult are even more frightening that the larva's, and they're aggressive enough to use them once in a while.
This family's life cycle does not create good dry fly opportunities, but the larvae may be eaten by trout year-round. They are a secret told only by stomach samples of well-fed trout.
This family's life cycle does not create good dry fly opportunities, but the larvae may be eaten by trout year-round. They are a secret told only by stomach samples of well-fed trout.
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