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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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Joeman has attached these 3 pictures. The message is below.
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Joeman
Joeman's profile picture
Matthews, NC

Posts: 2
Joeman on Jan 24, 2018January 24th, 2018, 8:26 am EST
I have a dozen of these. A couple are yellow instead of green in photos. They are tied on straight eye, #14, TMC200R hook... Kinda of like a Elk Hair Caddis without the Elk Hair?
Millcreek
Healdsburg, CA

Posts: 344
Millcreek on Jan 24, 2018January 24th, 2018, 8:56 am EST
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
-Albert Einstein
Joeman
Joeman's profile picture
Matthews, NC

Posts: 2
Joeman on Jan 24, 2018January 24th, 2018, 12:11 pm EST
Wow, Thank-you Mark!!
Just like that.... So I don't have to pour over these tomorrow?

https://prntscr.com/i57kq7

I understand you don't have to know the name of flies for them to catch fish....

Don't Have to Know Everything. You Just Have to Know Where to Find It." -- Albert Einstein
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 25, 2018January 25th, 2018, 4:22 pm EST
And this is often a place you can find things. Some sharp guys on here, present company excepted.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

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