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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Report at a Glance
| General Region | Manistique, MI |
| Fish Caught | 22 Steelhead |
| Conditions & Hatches | Over cast, no wind, and rain. |
Details and Discussion
Youngfish on May 7, 2012May 7th, 2012, 5:52 pm EDT
Well we just got off probably the last slam of the year! Between my buddy and I we landed 54+ Steelhead. Also picked up a few brookies, smallies, and Browns. Thursday was my best trip of my life! Myself landed 22 Steelies. Less and less fish in every day so get out on the bigger rivers and enjoy it while it lasts! Wolly buggers, egg sucking leaches, skunk streamers, and stone flies did the damage.
On the side note I just picked up a Redington crosswater 9ft. 8wt. and love it!
Good luck to all out. You can check us out on our facebook page if anyone does the facebook thing. www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
On the side note I just picked up a Redington crosswater 9ft. 8wt. and love it!
Good luck to all out. You can check us out on our facebook page if anyone does the facebook thing. www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Kyle McClelland
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Youngfish on May 7, 2012May 7th, 2012, 6:05 pm EDT
Opps almost forgot here is the video. :) P.S. I am not fishing at a dam either. There is a wall on the opposite side of the river the paper mill uses and water pours over it when the water is high. A dam is about a mile upstream from where I was.
Kyle McClelland
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Jesse on May 7, 2012May 7th, 2012, 8:21 pm EDT
Great stuff my man keep doing your thing ha!
Most of us fish our whole lives..not knowing its not the fish that we are after.
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com
Jmd123 on May 7, 2012May 7th, 2012, 9:00 pm EDT
YEE-HAW!!! (As they say in Texas...) Looks like a blast! Also looks like perfect flyrod steelhead water...I'm envious!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Youngfish on May 8, 2012May 8th, 2012, 6:19 am EDT
Thanks!! It was a blast for sure! This hole year has been amazing for me! I am sad to see things start to end, but now it is time to chase some Brookies, Browns, and Raibows. Going to get caught up on my fly tying, and get ready for Fall Kings, Steelhead, and Browns! Swinging streamers on the Big Manistee, and Betsie.. O my..To much excitement to handle for sure.. can't wait!!
Good luck to everyone out!! Hopefully have some good trout pics to share from the Boardman River in a couple weeks.
Good luck to everyone out!! Hopefully have some good trout pics to share from the Boardman River in a couple weeks.
Kyle McClelland
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Oldredbarn on May 9, 2012May 9th, 2012, 5:22 pm EDT
Hey Jess...Kyle's a Jess in training, me thinks! :)
You can tell a lot about an angler when you see how patched up his waders are...They take a licking and keep on ticking...I know. I know. A reference young Kyle won't know...;)
Spence
You can tell a lot about an angler when you see how patched up his waders are...They take a licking and keep on ticking...I know. I know. A reference young Kyle won't know...;)
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
Youngfish on May 10, 2012May 10th, 2012, 6:06 am EDT
Ha! Yeah, my waders have taken a beating for sure! It shows how much I fish because I just got those waders and boots late last fall! :) Probably made at least 140 trips with them since last fall. I would say I got my moneys worth. :)
Kyle McClelland
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
Manistique, MI
XXL Chrome Chasing- www.facebook.com/XxlChromeChasing
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