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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Anttam on May 19, 2008May 19th, 2008, 1:58 pm EDT
Hello all, Looking for a sulphur pattern
with c.d.c
anyone know of any ?
or maybe direct me to site w/ some instructions
Looking to tie some tonight
First timer on this site
wow thers a lot of us out there!
with c.d.c
anyone know of any ?
or maybe direct me to site w/ some instructions
Looking to tie some tonight
First timer on this site
wow thers a lot of us out there!
Taxon on May 19, 2008May 19th, 2008, 2:32 pm EDT
Martinlf on May 20, 2008May 20th, 2008, 1:36 am EDT
See also the most recent issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine. Paul Weamer has a good pattern that can be tied with CDC or Snowshoe Hare. I tie a larger wing closer to the eye of the hook, but all of these will work. I think the fly Taxon linked to is a super pattern, though I'd tie in more wing. But it depends on the kind of water you'll be fishing. The flatter the water the less wing you'll need to keep it floating, and the sparser profile may catch more fish in flat water. Good luck.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Anttam on May 20, 2008May 20th, 2008, 1:05 pm EDT
Thank you guys -for the info. I got to fish to day, did well
with a blue wing olive that was going off around 10 am rained
all day.
come 2:00 low and behold many blue wings reappear
but no hook ups- after carefull observation here comes the Sulphurs
not many, very large size 10 or so- the trout were slamming them !
I had some small imations and some nymphs only hooked one on a nymph
pattern and lost him.
I really need to come more prepared.
with a blue wing olive that was going off around 10 am rained
all day.
come 2:00 low and behold many blue wings reappear
but no hook ups- after carefull observation here comes the Sulphurs
not many, very large size 10 or so- the trout were slamming them !
I had some small imations and some nymphs only hooked one on a nymph
pattern and lost him.
I really need to come more prepared.
SlateDrake9 on May 20, 2008May 20th, 2008, 2:17 pm EDT
I use about the same pattern as Taxon posted, but I use pheasant tail fibers for the tail and dark part of the body. Works pretty good.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake
-- Slate Drake
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