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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Wiflyfisher on Aug 16, 2007August 16th, 2007, 2:37 pm EDT
I am curious what is your favorite mayfly hatch for trout and why? Is it because of the big trout you catch during that hatch, or is because of the density of the hatch, or something else?
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Jmd123 on Aug 16, 2007August 16th, 2007, 3:07 pm EDT
Why, the Hexagenia limbata hatch! I learned how to fly fish during that hatch (Maple River in Cheboygan Co.), so it holds a special place in my heart.
Then again, I've had some terrific trout fishing during Light Cahill hatches on the Maple and the Rifle (Ogemaw Co.). One year early in my flyrodding experience I actually had MORE luck during that hatch than during the Hex. Also, I had my first 10-trout night on Light Cahills.
I also must admit that I'm rather fond of caddis hatches - they are reliable all summer long on the Rifle.
OK, that's THREE favorites! Don't ask me to choose my absolute favorite among them, I simply can't.
What's yours, John?
Jonathon
Then again, I've had some terrific trout fishing during Light Cahill hatches on the Maple and the Rifle (Ogemaw Co.). One year early in my flyrodding experience I actually had MORE luck during that hatch than during the Hex. Also, I had my first 10-trout night on Light Cahills.
I also must admit that I'm rather fond of caddis hatches - they are reliable all summer long on the Rifle.
OK, that's THREE favorites! Don't ask me to choose my absolute favorite among them, I simply can't.
What's yours, John?
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Dryfly on Aug 16, 2007August 16th, 2007, 5:45 pm EDT
My favorite is the Light Hendrickson hatch because it always brings fish to the surface. Fished the LH four times this year and everytime I've had sucess. also the weather is nice during LH hatches.
Wiflyfisher on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 12:45 am EDT
For me, hands down... Brown Drake (E. simulans) hatch. I love that hatch! Big flies, lots of bugs, big fish and it occurs in the daylight hours. The only negative point to the Brown Drakes is it has a relatively short hatch period (meaning number of days).
My second would be any of the Emphemerellas... subvaria, invaria/rotunda and dorotheas.
My second would be any of the Emphemerellas... subvaria, invaria/rotunda and dorotheas.
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Martinlf on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 3:32 am EDT
March Olives. Fewer folks brave the cold wet days when they are best, and it's the first Mayfly hatch of the year for me; I anticipate it all winter. But sulphurs and Tricos are also strong favorites. And when I can find Hendricksons, I love to fish that hatch. OK . . . how about all of them.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Shawnny3 on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 3:48 am EDT
Oooh, yeah, I love the olives, even when they're not hatching.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
RleeP on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 3:54 am EDT
Early Paraleps..
It is the hatch I learned on many years ago. It's often the first meaningful mayfly hatch of the year on less alkaline streams without meaningful hatches of the early olives, it can require some precision to do well on, but not so much that it becomes more like brain surgery than fishing.
For me, there was nothing like it. Stunned little sailboats going round and round in an eddy and sipping fish.
It is the hatch I learned on many years ago. It's often the first meaningful mayfly hatch of the year on less alkaline streams without meaningful hatches of the early olives, it can require some precision to do well on, but not so much that it becomes more like brain surgery than fishing.
For me, there was nothing like it. Stunned little sailboats going round and round in an eddy and sipping fish.
Softhackle on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 5:31 am EDT
Hi,
Mine is Ephemerella dorothea at the end of May. Usually the weather is perfect at that time of year. Water temps are good, and the trout are feeding well.
Mark
Mine is Ephemerella dorothea at the end of May. Usually the weather is perfect at that time of year. Water temps are good, and the trout are feeding well.
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Wiflyfisher on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 8:05 am EDT
March Olives
Louis, for the benefit of our aquatic entomologists who frequent these threads we have to be a little more scientific about this. What the heck are March Olives? :)
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
SlateDrake9 on Aug 17, 2007August 17th, 2007, 10:30 am EDT
Contrary to my screen name, I have to go with the October brood of BWO's because of the weather conditions and solitude I usually have while fishing them throughout the state (I take vacation for much of October to travel and fish). The leaves are pretty, especially so on a drizzily 50 degree October day, the fish are pretty (especially brookies) and I know that the ice is coming.
My all time favorite single event hatch was many years ago when we had the gypsie moth problems throughout most of PA. I spent a week throwing moth patterns on the water and literally catching a trout almost every cast. I can't tell you how many flies I went through.
If heaven ain't that good, then I don't want to go.
I still prefer to drift a nymph or swing a wet though.
My all time favorite single event hatch was many years ago when we had the gypsie moth problems throughout most of PA. I spent a week throwing moth patterns on the water and literally catching a trout almost every cast. I can't tell you how many flies I went through.
If heaven ain't that good, then I don't want to go.
I still prefer to drift a nymph or swing a wet though.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake
-- Slate Drake
Wbranch on Aug 26, 2007August 26th, 2007, 11:17 pm EDT
Dorothea and Invaria on the WB of the Delaware. It is a tailwater and it gets significant emergences of both from early June to mid September. I'm also very fond of PMD's out West.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Smallstream on Aug 27, 2007August 27th, 2007, 12:40 am EDT
Im not much of a hatch matcher but the sulpher hatch on spring creek is pretty impressive, thousands of wild brown trout rising to dries is quite a sight to see
Martinlf on Aug 27, 2007August 27th, 2007, 10:29 am EDT
John, sorry to have missed your query before, March Olives are baetids that typically hatch most heavily around here in spring creeks during the months of February through April. I didn't mean the "March" to be part of the bug's name, as in "March Brown"; I meant the whole phrase to mean, "Olives that hatch in March." Good question, though. And you thought I'd discovered a new species. :)
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wiflyfisher on Aug 27, 2007August 27th, 2007, 12:54 pm EDT
Here I thought you made entomology history!!! Ephemerella louisavia
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
West on Aug 27, 2007August 27th, 2007, 2:00 pm EDT
I've just recently had my first real encounter with tricos. I know 12' (or longer) leaders, 7x, and sz.22 flies (not to mention very picky trout) aren't everybody's cup of tea, but I really dig that stuff! I'm sure many here will agree that seeing great numbers of trout rising to miniscule insects, and getting those trout to take your fly, is a truly satisfying experience. For me,the fish caught on the really little stuff are the one's that I remember the best.
West
http://pleasantly-obsessed.blogspot.com/
http://pleasantly-obsessed.blogspot.com/
Levi
Posts: 6
Posts: 6
Levi on Aug 27, 2007August 27th, 2007, 5:09 pm EDT
my favorite hatch would probably be the slate drakes because they hatch sporadically all day so you can fish the dry even when no bugs are hatching
JOHNW on Aug 29, 2007August 29th, 2007, 9:31 am EDT
Easy one here
Tricos in mid to late August. Some say it is the masochist in me but I love fishing tiny flies to trout that have been pounded to hell. It somehow ups the "satisfaction quotient"
Second place belongs solidly with baetis tricaudatis (i think that is the correct spelling). Again tough conditions. Have you ever tried to tie on a size 20 fly when you can't feel anything below your wrists!?
Third place is a draw between early blue quills and hendricksons/red quills. The draw with these hatches has more to do with how beautiful a well tied imitation of the catskill variety is. Probably my favorite pattern to tie, even with the peculiarities of stripped peacock eyes or quill bodies.
JW
Tricos in mid to late August. Some say it is the masochist in me but I love fishing tiny flies to trout that have been pounded to hell. It somehow ups the "satisfaction quotient"
Second place belongs solidly with baetis tricaudatis (i think that is the correct spelling). Again tough conditions. Have you ever tried to tie on a size 20 fly when you can't feel anything below your wrists!?
Third place is a draw between early blue quills and hendricksons/red quills. The draw with these hatches has more to do with how beautiful a well tied imitation of the catskill variety is. Probably my favorite pattern to tie, even with the peculiarities of stripped peacock eyes or quill bodies.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Martinlf on Aug 30, 2007August 30th, 2007, 7:48 am EDT
After olives, Tricos are my favorite too JW. School has me pretty busy right now, but I'll email or PM you in a few weeks to see if we can finally try that bamboo rod.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
JAD on Aug 30, 2007August 30th, 2007, 9:10 am EDT
Bamboo, Did hear that J W likes Bamboo :)
My favorite is what I think is called pretty fishing.Midge or anything small. I like to work on a pod of working fish.
JaD
They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
JOHNW on Aug 30, 2007August 30th, 2007, 9:56 am EDT
JAD,
While not a connisuer of the grass rod I do have a soft spot for them and I know a Leonard from a Granger from a Payne.
JW
While not a connisuer of the grass rod I do have a soft spot for them and I know a Leonard from a Granger from a Payne.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
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