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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.
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This topic is about the Insect Order Trichoptera

Some say caddisflies are even more important than mayflies, and they are probably right. The angling world has taken a while to come to terms with this blasphemy. Caddis imitations are close to receiving their fare share of time on the end of the tippet, but too many anglers still assume all caddisflies are pretty much the same.

Caddis species actually provide as much incentive to learn their specifics as the mayflies do. There is just as much variety in their emergence and egg-laying behaviors, and as many patterns and techniques are needed to match them. Anglers are hampered only by the relative lack of information about caddisfly behavior and identification.

Example specimens

Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 4:39 am EDT
Was on Penn's yesterday. A lot of small (#18)caddis cases (typical of Grannoms; tubular, 4-sided) on underside of rocks. Given the number of cases, I'd assume it's an important insect. Any idea what species this is? Thanks.
Taxon
Taxon's profile picture
Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311
Taxon on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 5:35 am EDT
Steve-

There are (at least) 5 species of Brachycentrus present in PA, B. incanus, B. lateralis, B. nigrosoma, B. numerosus, and B. solomoni, so there are likely multiple Brachycentrus species present in Penns Creek. Having said that, my guess is that the majority of them would be B. numerosus (Dark Grannom).
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 5:45 am EDT
Steve,

Grannoms are indeed important on Penn's, and as Roger suggests, multiple species are present in the watershed. Brachycentrus numerosus, lateralis, and solomoni (at least) are reported from that immediate area. In addition, 5 Micrasema spp. (Little Grannoms) are also reported, and some lepidostomatids build 4-sided cases that are sometimes mistaken for brachycentrids. B. numerosus was the species that fly-fishing writer Chas. Wetzel nicknamed the "Penn's Creek Caddisfly." The emergence of the important Brachycentrus species is a late April/early May event on Penn's.
Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 6:29 am EDT
Thanks guys. Have you had much success with a cased caddis pattern? Or should I just stick with pupal patterns for this type of caddis?
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 7:29 am EDT
Pupal and adult patterns would certainly be the things to use during the emergence/egg-laying period, but some have success imitating the cased larvae in the early spring prior to emergence.
Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 7:58 am EDT
I guess I was just thinking of what to use during the middle of the day, when not much is going on. Thought a cased caddis might be an option.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 8:32 am EDT
There's often good reason that little is going on in the middle of the day in summer, but my suggestion--provided that water temps are not too high--would be to throw terrestrials (beetles, ants, hoppers) or small adult caddisfly patterns around shady bankside cover, or to seek fast-water areas to probe with "searching" nymph patterns. Although the cased larval Grannom imitations might work, I wouldn't expect them to perform much better than "generic" searching flies at this time of year. For something more specific, you might try Green Rockworm (Rhyacophila larvae) imitations, or small, fat, pale yellowish or pinkish larval imitations (to imitate drifting Glossosoma larvae that abandon their outgrown cases). Both imitations seem to have an "attractive" as well as imitative quality, and the tying can be very simple. You might want to try those in tandem, if you are into that sort of thing.
JAD
JAD's profile picture
Alexandria Pa

Posts: 362
JAD on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 9:36 am EDT
Hi Guys this is a most unusual July for Penns Creek. On a normal July day one would kick back and open a few, pepsi or coke bottles and snooze. I think I would throw stone flies and skip the Caddis till September. If you have to throw a Caddis then make it green or tan.

jaD--AKA Caddisman1

They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
JOHNW
JOHNW's profile picture
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
JOHNW on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 10:39 am EDT
"I think I would throw stone flies and skip the Caddis till September."


I'll second that emotion. Especially given the "high water" year we are having. Just remember stones are multi year growth cycles so you can fish a pretty wide variety of sizes as long as you can get them down. As for patterns it can be any pattern you like as long as it is a woven stone ( or maybe thats just me).
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 1:32 pm EDT
I had a stonefly on most of the day yesterday. Just didn't do as much with it as usual. I'm kinda still in that phase of "working on nymphing," even though it might not always be the best option. I'm a glutton for punishment too, going out in the middle of the day.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 2:43 pm EDT
There's nothing wrong with "working on nymphing," Steve. However, if you need a break from the middle-of-the-day doldrums that you are experiencing on larger waters, many of the little headwaters and tribs fish great at this time of year. Some of the coldest ones actually fish better through the middle of the day than they do early in the morning or late in the evening, and water that is a little higher than normal often makes them even easier to fish. Just a thought, FWIW.
Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 6, 2009July 6th, 2009, 2:50 pm EDT
No doubt. The water temp was ~64F. Not too bad. But on its way up. I probably would've fished Cherry Run at some point. Just didn't have the time. Maybe tomorrow.
JAD
JAD's profile picture
Alexandria Pa

Posts: 362
JAD on Jul 7, 2009July 7th, 2009, 2:08 am EDT
I agree with Lloyd.
Hard to beat a cool MT. stream on a hot afternoon. only thing better than that is hot buns from moms oven :)

jAD

They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
Martinlf
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Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 8, 2009July 8th, 2009, 7:35 am EDT
OK, I can't believe that no one has suggested this yet, but try a sinking inchworm/green caddis imitation. Or a green weenie. I'll bet some fish can be caught on that fly almost anywhere in PA this time of year.

My bad: Gonzo did suggest a green caddis. But he didn't say "Green Weenie" perhaps due to his strong sense of decorum--which I don't have. So I'll say it again. Try a green weenie/green chenille inchworm.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Mesanomad
Watsontown, PA

Posts: 9
Mesanomad on Jul 8, 2009July 8th, 2009, 8:58 am EDT
yea. had the weenie on yesterday. no luck. was on big fishing creek instead. tough day again. i'm starting to convince myself that these fish are seeing the same patterns over and over again. it probably doesn't help that i've been showing up in the late afternoon. so many people fishing these places anymore. crazy.
Martinlf
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Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jul 9, 2009July 9th, 2009, 4:03 am EDT
Amazing. But BFC has a reputation for being very tough, as has Penns. You do earn every fish. Good luck.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

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