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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.

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.
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.

Bbolyard45
Posts: 1
Bbolyard45 on Apr 27, 2009April 27th, 2009, 3:25 am EDT

In about two weeks I'm heading south with me lady to vacation on the Outer Banks in Salvo NC. I fish primarily mountain streams and rivers, and I've been reading about the speckled trout, and other fish which can be caught fly fishing from a kayak and in the flats.

Can someone please send me some sage-like advice on the following:

Leader and tippet recommendations?

Where to fish, I've read where inland waters flow into the flats, and large holes and runs?

Any pattern recommendations?

A good local fly shop, which sells tying materials?

I'm planning on bring a 5 wt and my 8wt. Will this cover it?

Finally, I don't have the $$$ for a guide right now, any good spots I could start in?

Thanks, and if you are looking for WV info, please let me know.

Brian




Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Apr 27, 2009April 27th, 2009, 8:42 am EDT
Hi Brian,

I've done it, but so long ago I can't give you too much help. Here's what I can say.

Take Clouser minnows in chartreuse and white (bottom color). Ask shops about other flies. Your rods, if 9 ft. should be adequate. You'll probably use the 8 weight the most, if not exclusively. Make sure you can double haul a weighted fly without beaning yourself, or add a football helmet to your gear.

I'm at work, and will have to check my gear at home to give you tippet recommendations, but you can use a pretty heavy tippet. Many use fluorocarbon, which I was using then, but I'm not sure it's necessary.

I'd do some google searches to find a shop. That's going to be the best source of information. If you go in and buy some flies and tippet it'll be very easy to get info on where and when to fish. A rising or falling tide is often good, and I caught specks in inlets etc. I asked around at several shops--it doesn't have to be a fly shop to know where the fish are running and when to go after them--and got good information.

I had a lot of fun. It's very different from typical stream fishing, in that you can sometimes let the waves and current move your fly and just use twitches to hold it in a productive area. There are some good books out there also--check Amazon. There may be one (or more) on flyfishing the NC coast. I got one for NJ coastal waters once, and it was a gold mine.

I didn't run into any sting rays, but I hear an encounter with one of those can flat ruin a vacation. Think about footwear and learn about how to avoid rays. Some recommend shuffling your feet as you wade. I wore neoprene waders, which may have given me a false sense of security.

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

--Fred Chappell

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