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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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.
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.
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ColoradoKen on Oct 24, 2017October 24th, 2017, 2:53 am EDT
Hello all, i am seeking more information on the species of trout known as Ohrid Brown trout or simply Ohrid trout. Ive been fascinated with these fish since a presumed encounter on the north platte river in Wyoming below pathfinder Res. Ill share what little ive found out below via some links.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohrid_trout
http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Salmo-letnica.html
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=925
Im thinking that there is still a population on Ohrid trout in pathfinder res and also in the river below, specifically, maybe, the canyon stretch where the water becomes very deep and currents more lake like.
I also think ive encountered, through the process of catch and release, an Ohrid trout or two on or near private fishing ranches sections of the colorado river. Or.. more likely maybe, ive encountered brown trout/ohrid trout hybrids.
I wonder, for curiosity's sake, if hatchery Ohrid trout and/or Hybrids are available for purchase in america today. Cant seem to locate any hatchery "catalogs" or the like to comb through.
Here is a pic of my good friends daughter with a beautiful brown id say "looks" ohrid, to me anyway.
Ken
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohrid_trout
http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Salmo-letnica.html
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=925
Im thinking that there is still a population on Ohrid trout in pathfinder res and also in the river below, specifically, maybe, the canyon stretch where the water becomes very deep and currents more lake like.
I also think ive encountered, through the process of catch and release, an Ohrid trout or two on or near private fishing ranches sections of the colorado river. Or.. more likely maybe, ive encountered brown trout/ohrid trout hybrids.
I wonder, for curiosity's sake, if hatchery Ohrid trout and/or Hybrids are available for purchase in america today. Cant seem to locate any hatchery "catalogs" or the like to comb through.
Here is a pic of my good friends daughter with a beautiful brown id say "looks" ohrid, to me anyway.
Ken
Tight Lines,
Ken
Ken
Jmd123 on Oct 24, 2017October 24th, 2017, 5:44 am EDT
Ken, the trout of Lake Ohrid, on the border between Albania and Macedonia if I'm not mistaken, are described and illustrated in James Prosek's Trout of the World. This is a beautiful book and should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the trout found elsewhere besides the US, and the variety is staggering!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Troutnut on Oct 24, 2017October 24th, 2017, 7:26 am EDT
Interesting post Ken. I fixed the links and picture for you.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
ColoradoKen on Oct 24, 2017October 24th, 2017, 9:40 am EDT
thanks jason. Jonathon, ill put that book on my list to read this winter, thanks.
Tight Lines,
Ken
Ken
Iasgair on Oct 24, 2017October 24th, 2017, 12:31 pm EDT
Wow. That is something special no matter how you look at it. Nice size fish she is holding.
I have never heard of such a trout, and it surely doesn't belong here, but neither does the brown, rainbow, or brookie, just to name a few. But I'm not complaining. It's a beautiful fish no matter what.
Good job catching it, and I hope you find someone who has the answers to this fish mystery. And if you do, tell us about it.
Thanks for posting this.
I have never heard of such a trout, and it surely doesn't belong here, but neither does the brown, rainbow, or brookie, just to name a few. But I'm not complaining. It's a beautiful fish no matter what.
Good job catching it, and I hope you find someone who has the answers to this fish mystery. And if you do, tell us about it.
Thanks for posting this.
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