go-devil n
[. . .]
9 = hellgrammite n 1. esp IN, KY
1882 Amer. Angler (Ed. Harris) 2.167 csIN, In Southern Indiana we call it the Helgramite and “Go-Devil.” A. J. D. T. Seymour, Ind. 1888 Ibid 14.25 cnKY, Have read the list of name[s] of the Helgramite, locally applied to the varmint in different localities, etc. About Frankfort, Ky., and on the lower waters of Elk Horn creek they are called Go Devils. 1932 Eve. Republican (Columbus IN) 28 June 1/2, It seems that the dam is an ideal harboring place for “go-devils” and the like, and the bait hunters have been leaving few stones unturned. 1941 Danville Advocate–Messenger (KY) 9 July 2/2, Wakefield .. while recently fishing on Elkhorn Creek, Franklin county, had an experience which he has not quite forgotten: He was using for bait a Helgramite, commonly known in this section of the state as a “go-devil.” . . The “go-devil” is arrayed with two very sharp and strong pincers which can draw the blood from a hand or arm if given the opportunity. 1960 Eve. Republican (Columbus IN) 17 June 8/6, The adult insect, known as “corydalis cornuta” and locally as a “go-devil,” has a double set of wings and a 4-prong tail stinger. . . The larva is found under stones in streams but the adult insect is seldom recognized. 1966 DARE (Qu. P13, . . Ways of fishing . . besides the ordinary hook and line?) Inf GA1, Hellgamite or go-devil; insect for catfish; (Qu. R3, Whitish, worm-like creatures, found in ponds, that hatch into dobsonflies, and are commonly used for fish bait; total Infs questioned, 75) Inf GA1, Hellgamite—go-devils. [Note: This Inf may be referring instead to sense 10 below.] 1986 Courier–Jrl. (Louisville KY) 6 Oct sec B 1/1, Central Kentucky fishermen know it as the go-devil; many Eastern Kentuckians call it a flying grampus. . . It is the larva of the dobsonfly. 1995 Tribune (Seymour IN) 31 Mar sec A 4/4, They also seined for “go-devils”— “We sold them for three cents apiece for bait,” Lebline recalls. She describes them as being short, black creatures with several legs and two front pincers that “could really pinch you.” 2010 in 2020 DARE File—Internet cnKY, Elkhorn Creek Hellgrammites—Or Go-devils, as we always called ’em. . . It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen one in the creek, but years ago we could seine up 50 in a couple turns of the net. 2012 Ibid GA, Thats a go-devil. . . We refer to the larve type baits as “stretchers.” . . Here is a “stretcher” and a “go-devil” (helgramite). [Photos show a horsefly larva and a dobsonfly larva.]
10 The aquatic larva of a crane fly n or, prob, a horsefly n 1, often used as bait. chiefly nGA
1968 Hosch Nevah Come Back 76 nGA, Another bait was go-devils, short grubs about an inch long with small prongs over their entire length. We found the go-devils in the little streams where the wet leaves had bunched up. [DARE Ed: The “small prongs” suggest that these are horsefly larvae] 2009 in 2020 DARE File—Internet nGA, When I was growing up my Dad and I used to go out every Spring and hit the local creeks for go devils. They are about an inch long or so, about as big around as a pencil and kind of a goldish brown color and shaped kind of like a slinky. What I mean by that is they stretch and contract, sort of like an underwater caterpillar. You find them in clean, sandy bottom creeks buried in leaves and sand. They are outstanding catfish bait. 2012 Ibid neGA, We always called these go-devils, they are crane fly larvae and some of the best catfish bait around. [Photo shows a cranefly larva.] 2020 DARE File—Internet cKY, Go devils (sandworms) were a favorite bait in the spring and early summer. Rummage through the gravel, rocks and leaves in a branch or small stream and you will find them.
[. . .]