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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SumoLumo on Dec 31, 2018December 31st, 2018, 3:58 pm EST
Hi. Newbie here. I searched forum and didnt see any posts about this. If there are i am sorry. I have 32" thighs/quads without jeans on and 22" calves. I can NOT find a pair of hip waders to fit. Any suggestions. PLEASE HELP. I have reached out to many sellers online with no success. I plan on hiking thru brush as well. Most streams will not be past knee high. Thanks in advance.
Wbranch on Jan 1, 2019January 1st, 2019, 10:21 am EST
Cut back on the squats and other free weights for a year or two.
Seriously hip boots are often more restrictive than waist of chest waders. You should consider breathable waist waders. I think the calf area will offer more room for you to feel comfortable. The cost for a decent pair is about $100. But then you also need a pair of wading shoes.
Seriously hip boots are often more restrictive than waist of chest waders. You should consider breathable waist waders. I think the calf area will offer more room for you to feel comfortable. The cost for a decent pair is about $100. But then you also need a pair of wading shoes.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Iasgair on Jan 1, 2019January 1st, 2019, 2:31 pm EST
Matt is right.
I did see this on the general discussion section and mentioned Dan Baily. I also posted a site with many brands you can look at.
But even with chest waders, you're going to have to find a brand where the calf area has plenty of room. They are not all alike. For instance, Caddis chest waders have a smaller calf area. But they also have hip waders. So if you haven't looked at those, contact them and ask about sizing.
I did see this on the general discussion section and mentioned Dan Baily. I also posted a site with many brands you can look at.
But even with chest waders, you're going to have to find a brand where the calf area has plenty of room. They are not all alike. For instance, Caddis chest waders have a smaller calf area. But they also have hip waders. So if you haven't looked at those, contact them and ask about sizing.
Wbranch on Jan 2, 2019January 2nd, 2019, 7:58 am EST
One nice thing about the Caddis wading shoes are they are designed to be true to size of your street shoe. So if you wear a size 12 shoe everyday a size 12 Caddis wading shoe will be the correct size for one pair of wading socks. I have three pairs of the Caddis shoes, each one a different model for different applications. For rivers with lots of rubble and big rocks I prefer a wading shoe with strong synthetic uppers that reach up above my ankles a few inches and have padding around the outside edge. In my opinion it is hard to beat the Simms Freestones.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Iasgair on Jan 2, 2019January 2nd, 2019, 11:13 am EST
One nice thing about the Caddis wading shoes are they are designed to be true to size of your street shoe. So if you wear a size 12 shoe everyday a size 12 Caddis wading shoe will be the correct size for one pair of wading socks. I have three pairs of the Caddis shoes, each one a different model for different applications. For rivers with lots of rubble and big rocks I prefer a wading shoe with strong synthetic uppers that reach up above my ankles a few inches and have padding around the outside edge. In my opinion it is hard to beat the Simms Freestones.
Amen.
SumoLumo on Jan 4, 2019January 4th, 2019, 11:30 am EST
Caddis reached back out to me and cant fit my calf size. Thank you for the reply.
SumoLumo on Jan 4, 2019January 4th, 2019, 11:32 am EST
Cut back on the squats and other free weights for a year or two.
Seriously hip boots are often more restrictive than waist of chest waders. You should consider breathable waist waders. I think the calf area will offer more room for you to feel comfortable. The cost for a decent pair is about $100. But then you also need a pair of wading shoes.
I did quit with the squats. LoL. Chest waders are to long in the inseam to get ones that fit. I am afraid i may be going the custom route. Thank you for the reply
Tln1313 on Jan 6, 2019January 6th, 2019, 1:47 am EST
While not inexpensive, Simms and Patagonia both offer their waders in short lengths. I have a short in the Patagonias. They work well for my shortish inseam and large quads and beefy calves.
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