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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.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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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Report at a Glance

General RegionNorthwestern Michigan Lower Peninsula
Specific LocationFrankfort
Dates Fished07/21/07
Time of Day6:00 a.m.
Fish Caught1 Steelhead, 2 King Salmon
Conditions & HatchesClear Skies, 60 degrees Fahrenheit, Fog on the water, just plain beautiful.

Details and Discussion

TrevorC
Interlochen, Michigan

Posts: 20
TrevorC on Jul 27, 2007July 27th, 2007, 8:19 am EDT
Action was great last Saturday morning. Got a late start, but we were fishing by 6:00 a.m. Hooked up with a 14 lb. Steelhead at 6:04 a.m. Picked up 2 King Salmon between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., lost two more. Some fish are definately getting an early start!

A buddy of mine caught his first Steelhead ever that morning. What a great day. I included pic's of the fish.
I'll see you down on the river...
TrevorC
Interlochen, Michigan

Posts: 20
TrevorC on Jul 27, 2007July 27th, 2007, 8:33 am EDT
Replying to my own post... I tried to upload some pics, it must not have worked. Sorry...
I'll see you down on the river...
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Jul 27, 2007July 27th, 2007, 4:08 pm EDT
you're not alone. go over to the photo board and try there. meanwhile--gee whiz! early birds rule, huh?
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra

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