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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Keystoner on Aug 15, 2010August 15th, 2010, 3:21 am EDT
In the very early mornings, just after daybreak, I have ofetn seen trout shooting straight up out of the water (like completley vertical). Sometimes they get upwards of two feet off the water before falling back in. What is this all about??? Besides a really good way to frustrate me when I'm getting skunked.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
SlateDrake9 on Aug 15, 2010August 15th, 2010, 3:38 am EDT
Chasing caddis that are emerging is my best guess. This happens anytime there's a caddis hatch, not just early morning.
Or
They're just laughing at you. I'd put my money on the caddis thing though.
Or
They're just laughing at you. I'd put my money on the caddis thing though.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake
-- Slate Drake
Troutnut on Aug 15, 2010August 15th, 2010, 7:45 am EDT
Yeah, the usual interpretation would definitely be that they're chasing caddis emergers up to the surface. I've seen fish jump a bit for emerging midges, too. And sometimes they probably jump for other reasons but fishermen just assume they're chasing emergers... things are often more complicated than they seem.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
PaulRoberts on Aug 17, 2010August 17th, 2010, 4:06 pm EDT
Check for Black Dancer's -Mysticites (sp?). They are black winged summer caddis that flit around the surface close to the bank. It's been a while so I do not remember their life history but I have dries and pupae in my box -black wing/olve body.
Falsifly on Aug 20, 2010August 20th, 2010, 3:02 am EDT
I doubt that this would happen very early in the morning as Damsel Fly activity seems to pick up in the heat of the day. Here is a forward from another topic:
Years back I was working upstream on a section of the Namekagon. It was a warm sunny afternoon in June, fishing was slow and there was no visible hatch. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a fish, leaping vertically, completely out of the water. I have seen this many times in the past and have always found it interesting. Of course my first thought was--- ah a fish! So naturally, I started to work toward that spot, one eye on my drift and the other, on that spot. Well, much to my surprise, I’ll be damned if the fish didn’t do it again. Now my curiosity was piqued. I ceased fishing and slowly made my way to the spot, halting short, so as not to reveal myself. I was studying the surface of the water, seeing nothing unusual, when the fish leaped; straight up vertically, completely out of the water, again! This time I discovered what was going on. The fish was catching Damsel Flies, as they were hovering, a good foot and a half from the surface.
Years back I was working upstream on a section of the Namekagon. It was a warm sunny afternoon in June, fishing was slow and there was no visible hatch. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a fish, leaping vertically, completely out of the water. I have seen this many times in the past and have always found it interesting. Of course my first thought was--- ah a fish! So naturally, I started to work toward that spot, one eye on my drift and the other, on that spot. Well, much to my surprise, I’ll be damned if the fish didn’t do it again. Now my curiosity was piqued. I ceased fishing and slowly made my way to the spot, halting short, so as not to reveal myself. I was studying the surface of the water, seeing nothing unusual, when the fish leaped; straight up vertically, completely out of the water, again! This time I discovered what was going on. The fish was catching Damsel Flies, as they were hovering, a good foot and a half from the surface.
Falsifly
When asked what I just caught that monster on I showed him. He put on his magnifiers and said, "I can't believe they can see that."
When asked what I just caught that monster on I showed him. He put on his magnifiers and said, "I can't believe they can see that."
Keystoner on Aug 20, 2010August 20th, 2010, 10:45 am EDT
Thanks for the answers guys!!! So basically when I see this I should try a caddis fly, and ditch the bugger that no one cares about anyway.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
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