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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Wbranch on Feb 11, 2013February 11th, 2013, 6:23 am EST
Decided to go solo.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Wbranch on Feb 11, 2013February 11th, 2013, 9:14 am EST
Decided to go solo.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf on Feb 11, 2013February 11th, 2013, 12:44 pm EST
Thanks, Matt. I somehow had missed the date in your original post, so I've deleted my silly question. Hope you get some takers--this sounds like a fantastic trip. Al Caucci runs a 7 day trip on the Missouri for $3,700.00, so your trip is a bargain for sure.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Gutcutter on Feb 11, 2013February 11th, 2013, 12:45 pm EST
The river and the lodging are as Matt described. And he knows that section of the river as well as (or better than) some guides do.
The dates don't work for me, so I can't make it this year.
It is an amazing fishery.
The dates don't work for me, so I can't make it this year.
It is an amazing fishery.
All men who fish may in turn be divided into two parts: those who fish for trout and those who don't. Trout fishermen are a race apart: they are a dedicated crew- indolent, improvident, and quietly mad.
-Robert Traver, Trout Madness
-Robert Traver, Trout Madness
Wbranch on Feb 11, 2013February 11th, 2013, 1:33 pm EST
Post deleted.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
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