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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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Landscape & scenery photos from Prince William Sound

Camp from above

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
View west across Port Wells arm

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Another cool marine sculpin.

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Cloudy mountain in sun

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
We got into some fun chum salmon fishing, but the next day the commercial fleet showed up and cleaned them out.

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Tide flat grass grazed by bears

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
My first rockfish (a copper rockfish).

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Sunny morning

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Sunset fire

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Spotting scope set up on the barnacles at low tide, looking for bears.

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
We made a slow trudge across this long strip of avalanche debris.

From Prince William Sound in Alaska
Fog out in the Port Wells arm

From Prince William Sound in Alaska

References

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