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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Flytyerinpa on Feb 13, 2017February 13th, 2017, 4:36 am EST
Found a crack in my Thompson A vise, making it hard to hold the hooks, I was thinking about going with a Dan Vise, I talked to 2 guys that love them, the Dan vise co. has a MSRP of $80.00 but all the dealers want over $100.00 one guy at a fly show wanted $125.00. Maybe I should go to the hardware store and check out there vise-grip pliers. It don't pay to be on SS.
RleeP on Feb 13, 2017February 13th, 2017, 7:41 am EST
Take a look at Griffin vises. They are all American made and while they are not generally fancy with all kinds of (often) beside-the-point features, they are good sturdy, reliable vises at a reasonable price.
Here is their selection of fly tying vises: http://www.griffinenterprisesinc.com/modules/store/Vises_C38776.cfm
Here is their selection of fly tying vises: http://www.griffinenterprisesinc.com/modules/store/Vises_C38776.cfm