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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Softhackle on Mar 14, 2012March 14th, 2012, 10:11 am EDT
My latest print.
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
PaulRoberts on Mar 14, 2012March 14th, 2012, 11:23 am EDT
Very nice, Mark.
Wiflyfisher on Mar 14, 2012March 14th, 2012, 1:10 pm EDT
Awesome, Mark!!
Where do you sell your work?
John
Where do you sell your work?
John
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Lastchance on Mar 14, 2012March 14th, 2012, 3:13 pm EDT
Beautiful, Mark.
Bruce
Bruce
Softhackle on Mar 14, 2012March 14th, 2012, 3:45 pm EDT
I sell my work/prints online through my studio web site and Jim Slattery sells prints for me as well at Campfire Lodge Resort.
Mark
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
FisherOfMen on Mar 15, 2012March 15th, 2012, 9:29 am EDT
That's an amazing scene. I always love fly fishing works that picture the angler in their cast just before the 'moment of truth'. It gives a feeling of suspense to the work.
At least for me, anyway...
That looks amazing, Mark!
At least for me, anyway...
That looks amazing, Mark!
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught." -Author Unknown
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke
Oldredbarn on Mar 15, 2012March 15th, 2012, 10:21 am EDT
That's an amazing scene. I always love fly fishing works that picture the angler in their cast just before the 'moment of truth'. It gives a feeling of suspense to the work.
At least for me, anyway...
That looks amazing, Mark!
Nice read there Nick...I agree!
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
Troutnut on Mar 15, 2012March 15th, 2012, 11:24 am EDT
Another beautiful one, Mark! Feel free to share that as a front page contribution on this site if you want.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Shawnny3 on Mar 17, 2012March 17th, 2012, 4:48 am EDT
Excellent work as always, Mark. You capture the scene through a fisherman's eyes. How many viewers were drawn quickly to the lower left corner where the lack of glare allows you to scout the stream for lurking fish? Made me want to put on my polarizing lenses to try to see more.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
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