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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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GONZO on Nov 17, 2010November 17th, 2010, 2:46 pm EST
Bruce, I'll cast my vote with those suggesting Tricos. It might be worth noting that resting Caenis (duns and spinners) have the distinctive habit of holding their wings outstretched rather than upright. It's not that unusual to see a few Tricos in November, though I've never encountered them in "fishable" numbers. For example, Hall, Berner, and Cook (1975) studied T. atratus (now synonymous with T. allectus) in the tiny headwaters of the Mississippi (and nearby Birch Creek) in northern Minnesota, and said this:
A second peak emergence occurs in late August [after the first peak in mid-July] with occasional individuals appearing as adults into November.
PaulRoberts on Nov 17, 2010November 17th, 2010, 11:35 pm EST
Well there it is. And you thought we thought you were nuts. Now we're ALL going to be seeing Tricos in Nov. You can change the thread name now lol.
Now...what about December?
Now...what about December?
Lastchance on Nov 18, 2010November 18th, 2010, 2:10 am EST
I sure wish I had a camera with me. I'll try to come up with another mystery tomorrow. I'm fishing the same area. Who knows, I may see sasquatch or a UFO.
Ditch on Nov 18, 2010November 18th, 2010, 2:16 am EST
Or maybe Elvis ...
There are no bad fishing days.
Oldredbarn on Nov 18, 2010November 18th, 2010, 7:28 am EST
Bruce,
If you are actually abducted by aliens its been nice chatting with you!
I'm still not completely convinced that aquatic insects (bugs in general for that matter) aren't really aliens and we just aren't hip to it...The only thing that has prevented them from completely over running the planet is that trout, birds, & bats have found them to be tasty...
Be careful out there man!
Spence
If you are actually abducted by aliens its been nice chatting with you!
I'm still not completely convinced that aquatic insects (bugs in general for that matter) aren't really aliens and we just aren't hip to it...The only thing that has prevented them from completely over running the planet is that trout, birds, & bats have found them to be tasty...
Be careful out there man!
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Lastchance on Nov 18, 2010November 18th, 2010, 10:42 am EST
OK, Spence. I'll be careful, but I think it's too late.
Bruce
Bruce
Taxon on Nov 18, 2010November 18th, 2010, 5:09 pm EST
I'm still not completely convinced that aquatic insects (bugs in general for that matter) aren't really aliens and we just aren't hip to it.
Ha. Trust me on this one, Spence; we Homo sapiens are surely the late-arriving interlopers.
Oldredbarn on Nov 19, 2010November 19th, 2010, 3:36 am EST
Roger,
You won't get any real argument from me on that point mister...:)
Spence
You won't get any real argument from me on that point mister...:)
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
PaulRoberts on Nov 19, 2010November 19th, 2010, 4:06 am EST
Ditto that.
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