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.
Featured on the forum
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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and
fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or
support the project for an enhanced experience here.
Motrout on Jul 19, 2014July 19th, 2014, 7:45 pm EDT
Just thought I'd post some pictures from a trip out to a warmwater stream I frequent. Fished this evening from about 5-7 PM and caught a good number of black bass (smallie, largemouth, and spots) along with longear sunfish. It's a gentle, and very lightly fished river that flows quietly through the Ozark foothills. Normally, it's a bit on the muddy side, but this time of the year, it's clear, low, and rather photogenic. Thought I'd share a few photos.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
Taxon on Jul 19, 2014July 19th, 2014, 9:44 pm EDT
Hi Motrout-
Beautiful; thanks for sharing.
Beautiful; thanks for sharing.
Jmd123 on Jul 20, 2014July 20th, 2014, 10:41 am EDT
Looks like a nice trip there, MO. Dang it, I thought you would have posted some pics of those longears! They rival coral reef fish for beauty in my opinion. I had a day on the Lampasas River in Texas, after finishing a field job (and what better way to cool off than to wet-wade?), when I found those guys on their beds and must have brought 50 or so to hand on the fly rod. They don't make fish much prettier than those!
Also, more stats on the bass, size, flies used? I once lived in your country as you may remember and you're bringing back memories of some fine fishing. The Ozarks sure are pretty, I always loved the forests there too, very rich in flora (and fauna). That's a place I wouldn't mind returning to for a fly fishing trip, hiking/camping/kayaking too!
Jonathon
Also, more stats on the bass, size, flies used? I once lived in your country as you may remember and you're bringing back memories of some fine fishing. The Ozarks sure are pretty, I always loved the forests there too, very rich in flora (and fauna). That's a place I wouldn't mind returning to for a fly fishing trip, hiking/camping/kayaking too!
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Motrout on Jul 20, 2014July 20th, 2014, 1:32 pm EDT
Looks like a nice trip there, MO. Dang it, I thought you would have posted some pics of those longears! They rival coral reef fish for beauty in my opinion. I had a day on the Lampasas River in Texas, after finishing a field job (and what better way to cool off than to wet-wade?), when I found those guys on their beds and must have brought 50 or so to hand on the fly rod. They don't make fish much prettier than those!
Also, more stats on the bass, size, flies used? I once lived in your country as you may remember and you're bringing back memories of some fine fishing. The Ozarks sure are pretty, I always loved the forests there too, very rich in flora (and fauna). That's a place I wouldn't mind returning to for a fly fishing trip, hiking/camping/kayaking too!
Jonathon
Sorry for the lack of a longear pic. I just never thought of it out there. I always have the best of intentions in terms of photography, but when I get out there I get absorbed in the fishing and it tends to fall by the wayside.
Yesterday, I did best just fishing a brown woolly bugger. Honestly, that's my go-to for bass on Ozark streams, either that or olive. It's not the best crayfish imitation, but it's easy to tie and the bass don't care.
This stretch of the Bourbeuse is a bit unique in that it has almost equal numbers of smallies, largemouth, and spotted bass. Any halfway decent trip will be a "grand slam" so to speak.
Yesterday, the fishing was a bit slow and I got a half dozen in the couple hours. Unseasonably cool weather (highs have been in the 70s and low 80s over the past few weeks, lows in the low 60s, high 50s) have the bite generally worse than usual (though it's comfortable!) Anyway, I got three smallies, 2 spotted bass, and the largemouth pictured above. Didn't count the longears, but as always, there were a lot.
If you ever do head out here, let me know and I can point you in the right direction. Lots of good water, even wild trout streams around here, that don't get fished as much as you'd think.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
Wbranch on Jan 7, 2015January 7th, 2015, 2:30 pm EST
Great looking streams. Are they wadeable or does one need a boat more often than not?
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
Five days of warmwater flyfishing in southeastern Michigan - from Jonathon
In Fishing Reports by Jmd123
In Fishing Reports by Jmd123
0
Jul 22, 2009
by Jmd123
by Jmd123
0
Jan 21, 2017
by Mcflyangler
by Mcflyangler