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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.

I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.

The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.

Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
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Walleye
180 Prospect Ave, Gloversville, NY, 12078

Posts: 10
Walleye on Mar 7, 2014March 7th, 2014, 4:10 am EST
Does anyone know if the Maruto fly tying hooks, are made by Tiemco? The model numbers are the same, and they appear to be the same hook, but a little difference in the price.
Every trout is a trophy!
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 8, 2014March 8th, 2014, 6:56 am EST
I'm not familiar with that brand. There are several knock-offs produced in Asia, though. The Fly Shop in CA sells a proprietary hook that also uses the same designations at almost half the price. But, they are not the same. The bends, gaps and shank lengths are all slightly different and they aren't as consistent. A few of these off brands also have other quality control issues and weaker wire.
"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
Walleye
180 Prospect Ave, Gloversville, NY, 12078

Posts: 10
Walleye on Mar 10, 2014March 10th, 2014, 11:07 am EDT
Thanks for the reply! I bought the hooks and in comparing them with the Tiemco Hooks they are the same in every way shape, size, design, curve, however the finish is differant. The TMC Hooks are very black, while these appear to be a nickled black. This company is using all the same Hook Model Numbers that Tiemco uses, and TMC is an asian company also. I'm thinking they are their less expensive "line", similar to Lowrance selling the Eagle Model Fish Finders, or Mercury selling the Mariner Motors. They are much less in price, but don't come packaged with the magnetic piece that keeps the hooks from spilling all around.
Every trout is a trophy!
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Mar 10, 2014March 10th, 2014, 4:03 pm EDT
Could be, Walleye. They sound like pretty good hooks.
"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

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