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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Oldredbarn has attached these 4 pictures. The message is below.
Oldredbarn on Nov 2, 2013November 2nd, 2013, 8:27 am EDT
I was supposed to be on this trip but unfortunately couldn't make it. Darn!
A friend of mine is fishing the "Alley" the last few days and he sent me these to rub in the fact that he's having a blast, catching fish, and I'm here driving my nephew around looking at colleges for next year...Darn again!
Spence
A friend of mine is fishing the "Alley" the last few days and he sent me these to rub in the fact that he's having a blast, catching fish, and I'm here driving my nephew around looking at colleges for next year...Darn again!
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
Wbranch on Nov 14, 2013November 14th, 2013, 1:56 pm EST
Nice brown. Was he planning on keeping it since his left hand is jammed under the gill cover. The last picture of the colored up fish is really gorgeous. That fish had been in the river a couple of weeks. That red cheek is awesome.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Entoman on Nov 14, 2013November 14th, 2013, 2:30 pm EST
Yeah, I noticed that too. Very poor fish handling. It may survive release, but...
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Oldredbarn on Nov 15, 2013November 15th, 2013, 7:18 am EST
Not sure fellas if he was keeping fish or not...I believe not, but...who knows.
Spence
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
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