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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Adirman on Apr 7, 2013April 7th, 2013, 8:25 am EDT
Guys;
Haven't been able to get out even once yet in the Catskills! just wondering if anyones been out here yet and what they're seeing on the water. Couple of guys have told me they're seeing predominantly midges,black stones and some small olives but beyond that, havent heard anything else yet. Any Hendricksons been spotted?
Haven't been able to get out even once yet in the Catskills! just wondering if anyones been out here yet and what they're seeing on the water. Couple of guys have told me they're seeing predominantly midges,black stones and some small olives but beyond that, havent heard anything else yet. Any Hendricksons been spotted?
Jmd123 on Apr 7, 2013April 7th, 2013, 10:17 am EDT
We're still pretty frozen up here in northern lower MI. Steelheaders are out in force but there aren't even many fish in yet. Even small bodies of standing water still have ice cover! Walking along the lower Au Sable all I've seen is a few random midges. I haven't even been near a trout stream since October, but I would guess we're a good while before Hennie season. Which perhaps is good, maybe they'll be in full swing once our opener is here on the 27th...
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Roguerat on Apr 8, 2013April 8th, 2013, 6:09 am EDT
SW Lower Michigan: I got out for the first time last Friday, upper Rogue and near-perfect conditions considering the time of year- air temp 56* by 3 pm, partly cloudy, water level steady and clear @ 45*. Little Black Stoneflies (sz 16's) were falling and we had some really good fishing.
Sunday we waited until 4:00 pm when partial sun was forecast, zilch on any insects other than some scattered midges(?) we guessed a sz 22 or so, grey with an orange/red egg-sac on their butts.
We've got heavy rain for the next 4 days, 80-100% every day and 2+ inches by the time it ends. I'll be tying more BWO's and Sulphurs in the meantime.
Roguerat
I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him...'
Sunday we waited until 4:00 pm when partial sun was forecast, zilch on any insects other than some scattered midges(?) we guessed a sz 22 or so, grey with an orange/red egg-sac on their butts.
We've got heavy rain for the next 4 days, 80-100% every day and 2+ inches by the time it ends. I'll be tying more BWO's and Sulphurs in the meantime.
Roguerat
I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him...'
Jmd123 on Apr 8, 2013April 8th, 2013, 12:53 pm EDT
Mack, things have thawed out a bit more in the last day or so, and we're geting a nice steady rain right now too. Oscoda does stay a bit colder than the surrounding areas - our flowers are a bit later in spring here than further inland. Look it up on Google Maps!
Jonathon
P.S. Hopefully I'll have a hatch report from the Rifle River within a couple of weeks...
Jonathon
P.S. Hopefully I'll have a hatch report from the Rifle River within a couple of weeks...
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
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