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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Martinlf on Feb 3, 2021February 3rd, 2021, 1:00 pm EST
I'm partial to the 10' length, but have not yet tried the 11' extension for my Drift rod. Most of the streams I fish are smaller than the San Juan, though. The extra foot may not sound like much, but it does make a difference between 9' and 10'. Ultimately these sort of things often come down to personal preference and what someone has gotten used to. Do you know someone with a 10' and an 11' rod that you might borrow for a bit to compare and see what you think?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Martinlf on Feb 4, 2021February 4th, 2021, 2:12 am EST
A local shop may be able to let you handle and cast different rods. A guide may have different rods to try as well. Best of luck.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wbranch on Feb 4, 2021February 4th, 2021, 2:43 am EST
Tangina20 wrote;
A 10' rod is 11% longer and quite a significant length gain when you are high sticking or tight lining. I typically used to steelhead fish with a 9' rod. When I went to a 10' #6 I found it was so much easier to roll cast and to perform upriver mends. I don't own any Euro nymph rods but if I did I would probably stick with nothing longer than 10' 6" or lighter than a #3 line.
I feel like that isn’t too much different from my 9’ rod.
A 10' rod is 11% longer and quite a significant length gain when you are high sticking or tight lining. I typically used to steelhead fish with a 9' rod. When I went to a 10' #6 I found it was so much easier to roll cast and to perform upriver mends. I don't own any Euro nymph rods but if I did I would probably stick with nothing longer than 10' 6" or lighter than a #3 line.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
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