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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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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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AaronJasper
New Jersey

Posts: 3
AaronJasper on Mar 12, 2008March 12th, 2008, 12:53 pm EDT
I agree with martin RIO Flouroflex is the best hands downs. Frog hair is second. For mono tippet RIO and Frog Hair are neck and neck.
www.troutpredator.com
Joec
portsmouth, nh

Posts: 8
Joec on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 8:08 am EDT
I made the switch to fluorocarbon a few years ago...I really like Rio's fluroflex plus for my tippets. Prior to fluorocarbon, I used mostly Orvis super strong. I have tried Frog Hair (only in fc) and I hated it because my knots constantly slipped, particularly the tippet-fly connection. In saltwater I use mostly nylon (Maxima chameleon for the butt section and ultra green for tippets). The abrasion resistance in both materials is superior IMO. I fish mostly for stripers and have not found them to be leader shy at all, even on the flats.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 4:50 pm EDT
Anyone besides Matt using Enrico Puglisi tippet material (and I seem to recall he only uses it in small sizes). I'm on my second year with it, and like it.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 5:12 pm EDT
I only use it in 6x for the Catskills and 7x for some of the little streams I fish in PA. I prefer Climax or Rio fluorocarbon in 4x - 6x for most of my fishing but the Puglisi material is nice and limp but it is not readily available other than at the web site Louis mentioned once.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Dec 18, 2014December 18th, 2014, 10:00 am EST
Another tippet thread from a while back.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Dec 18, 2014December 18th, 2014, 2:34 pm EST
Is the Pugilisi material even available anymore and if so where?

Edit; Okay I see the other thread has a link to where one can buy it.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Dec 18, 2014December 18th, 2014, 5:35 pm EST
Matt, yes, it's in the other thread. I've ordered it from WaterStrider several times, with no problem. I think I'll place an order soon for next season's tippet.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Dec 19, 2014December 19th, 2014, 7:27 am EST
I ordered 50 meters in 5X and 6X.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Tomsix1
Posts: 7
Tomsix1 on Feb 18, 2015February 18th, 2015, 2:14 am EST
I usually use Orvis Superstrong, think its the best
Live 4 flyfishing
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Feb 18, 2015February 18th, 2015, 11:33 am EST
Orvis Superstrong or Rio.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

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