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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It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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DOS on Mar 31, 2009March 31st, 2009, 6:27 pm EDT
Greenghost,
That does sound like a pretty darn good way to get some information on what the trout prefer. However, I can think of at least one variable that might get in the way and that would be depth of the flies within the water column. But honestly, I can't imagine a 12in spread between nymphs making a world of difference.
I might give this a try while out fishing tomorrow!
That does sound like a pretty darn good way to get some information on what the trout prefer. However, I can think of at least one variable that might get in the way and that would be depth of the flies within the water column. But honestly, I can't imagine a 12in spread between nymphs making a world of difference.
I might give this a try while out fishing tomorrow!
Andrew Nisbet
Shawnny3 on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 2:43 am EDT
Thanks, Gonzo. Glad you like the pattern. I've (over?)complicated it since (which you may like - a little more realistic), and in time I'll put up some of those patterns if they fish well. But I like the generic pattern the best. Not only does it fish well but also only takes about 1 minute to tie, so you can toss it into the nastiest places near the bank without any worry of snapping it off.
Even though the Curlies aren't wiggle flies per se, I like to think that the fly treads some new ground in that even when it doesn't tumble in the current, it has the illusion of movement. As you well know, though, you're always fondest of your own patterns, so maybe I have a slight bias in favor of it. But, well-founded or manufactured, I do have a lot of confidence when I tie on that green one in the dead of summer.
-Shawn
P.S. Notice, Louis, that I made no mention of the Unspeakable Fly in my post. Hence, you may relent.
Even though the Curlies aren't wiggle flies per se, I like to think that the fly treads some new ground in that even when it doesn't tumble in the current, it has the illusion of movement. As you well know, though, you're always fondest of your own patterns, so maybe I have a slight bias in favor of it. But, well-founded or manufactured, I do have a lot of confidence when I tie on that green one in the dead of summer.
-Shawn
P.S. Notice, Louis, that I made no mention of the Unspeakable Fly in my post. Hence, you may relent.
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 3:09 am EDT
Notice, Louis, that I made no mention of the Unspeakable Fly in my post.
Shawn, I was sorely tempted to make some smart-ass comment about the suggestive first line in Prof. Honeybug's post. But then I decided (wisely, I think) not to go there. I'm glad that you exercised similar restraint. :)
Patcrisci on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 5:53 am EDT
Gonzo, your flies are fabulous! I had not looked closely at the contest pages until now. Nor did I know that you are the author of a well-received book on fly tying. Now, I can see that your flies are well conceived, executed, and apparently, much loved by discerning trout.
My tying philosophy... I strive to tie flies that are impressionistic -- more suggestive of insect life in general, than they are imitative of a specific insect; and utilitarian, in that I regard them as functional and practical tools more than aesthetic works of art.
Your flies combine the best of these worlds. I admire your integrity and artistic talents. And your book looks fascinating... when and how did you come to write it?
My tying philosophy... I strive to tie flies that are impressionistic -- more suggestive of insect life in general, than they are imitative of a specific insect; and utilitarian, in that I regard them as functional and practical tools more than aesthetic works of art.
Your flies combine the best of these worlds. I admire your integrity and artistic talents. And your book looks fascinating... when and how did you come to write it?
Pat Crisci
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 6:14 am EDT
...I can see that your flies are...much loved by discerning trout.
Thank you very much, Pat, but I rather doubt that last part. Whatever fleeting affection the trout initially display seems to fade pretty quickly when they are hooked. Most of them seem pretty PO'd by the time I get them to hand.
...when and how did you come to write it?
It was published in 2005, and the "how" was entirely accidental on my part. The credit (or blame?) for that accident goes the good graces of Ed Koch.
Shawnny3 on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 9:02 am EDT
I agree, Gonzo, that the restraint we've shown is admirable. I made allusion to the Unspeakable Fly, when really it's only one in a whole class of "patterns" Louis fishes. Perhaps I should have been more specific and said Unspeakable Fly #3, lest other readers wonder which fly I'm not talking about.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:41 am EDT
Pat, you've got to get Gonzo's book! He's too humble to hawk it himself, but it's really the best book about our sport to come along in many years. The flies are great, but there's a short section on fish behavior (Chapter 2: Principles of Fly Selection) that's even better.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Mcjames on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 1:09 pm EDT
Pat here are some pics of my cheap knockoff of one of Gonzo's superb patterns:
http://www.troutnut.com/topic/1832#12348
I substitute alot of materials... if I dont already have the material, I just sift through my stuff and find something close.
http://www.troutnut.com/topic/1832#12348
I substitute alot of materials... if I dont already have the material, I just sift through my stuff and find something close.
I am haunted by waters
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 1:13 pm EDT
If that's a cheap knockoff, James, I'd hate to see what you tie when you really try! Fine work.
Martinlf on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 4:45 pm EDT
You guys are killing me. Gonzo, I've already rung just about every chime that can be played on the curly worm topic. Perhaps while you were skiing. We had drooping worms, upright worms, and I think some comments about condoms found their way into the thread. But if you have something new . . .
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Patcrisci on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 1:52 am EDT
Hey Mcjames -- love your "knockoff" nymph. You nailed it, man. Also, it appears we are be neighbors, almost. I live in Lagrangeville, in Dutchess County. You're in Cortland Manor? in Northern Westchester County, near Peekskill and Putnam Valley, my old stomping grounds. If you ever want to meet to fish in the Catskills, I'm game.
Pat Crisci
Mcjames on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 3:23 am EDT
Ha! Gonzo I meant "cheap" to mean "inferior", not "lack of effort"...
I spend way more time on these than makes any sense at all.
Pat-- yes I live just south of Peekskill. I would love to get out sometime. This Spring will be tricky-- my wife is due on April 19 (terrible timing, I know, my buddy's response to the news of the due date was "rookie mistake").
I spend way more time on these than makes any sense at all.
Pat-- yes I live just south of Peekskill. I would love to get out sometime. This Spring will be tricky-- my wife is due on April 19 (terrible timing, I know, my buddy's response to the news of the due date was "rookie mistake").
I am haunted by waters
Patcrisci on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 4:35 am EDT
Congrats mcjames, on the news of your child on the way. Once you get settled into your new routine and you are ready to break out, let me know and we can hook up if you like.
Pat Crisci
Troutnut on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 5:11 am EDT
Pat-- yes I live just south of Peekskill. I would love to get out sometime. This Spring will be tricky-- my wife is due on April 19 (terrible timing, I know, my buddy's response to the news of the due date was "rookie mistake").
Hilarious! And great advice for all of us who don't have kids just yet.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Mcjames on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 7:10 am EDT
yes... that's a case of a "wiggling nymph" hurting, not helping, the fishing...
I am haunted by waters
Shawnny3 on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 9:06 am EDT
yes... that's a case of a "wiggling nymph" hurting, not helping, the fishing...
Well put.
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
Shawnny3 on Apr 2, 2009April 2nd, 2009, 12:36 pm EDT
McJames, my wife had our first on April 22, so I feel your pain, er... joy. I can't be held fully responsible, though, because he was 6 weeks premature. Let's hope you did it right, though, and slipped the Y-chromosome in there. Otherwise, your Aprils henceforth will be filled with princesses and ponies. At least if it's a boy, you can use his birthday to buy him rods, vests, or boots and then have to take him to the stream so he can try them out.
Your story reminds me of a conversation I had with one of my brothers when his second was born. He called to let me know, and I immediately asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?" To which he replied, "Strike Two."
-Shawn
Your story reminds me of a conversation I had with one of my brothers when his second was born. He called to let me know, and I immediately asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?" To which he replied, "Strike Two."
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
Mcjames on Apr 3, 2009April 3rd, 2009, 1:06 am EDT
Well Shawn its strike 2 for me as well-- its a girl. But so far, my 5 yr old daughter is very much anti princess an pro fishing, so all hope is not lost!
I am haunted by waters
Patcrisci on Apr 3, 2009April 3rd, 2009, 2:09 am EDT
There you go! Bring 'em up on Joan Wulff!
Pat Crisci
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