Header image
Enter a name
Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York
Blue-winged Olives
Baetis

Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Troutnut.com User Softhackle (Mark Libertone)

Troutnut.com User Softhackle (Mark Libertone)

Real Name
Mark Libertone
Location
Wellsville, NY
Homepage
Biography & Thoughts
I am a trained artist with a B.F.A. in Fine Art and a Masters in Synaesthetic Education, both from Syracuse University. Currently, I teach, part time, for Empire State College, and operate a graphic and fine art business. I'm a native New Yorker, and I still live in NY close to the banks of the Genesee River. I'm married with 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and one great grandchild on the way.

To me, Fly-fishing is an art and science, combined, and as such it is the experience, and perhaps sharing it, that is so very important to enjoyment of it.

Note from Troutnut: Unfortunately, we lost Mark several years ago. Because he was such a valued member of this community, I mirrored his webpage (with permission from his family) in a subfolder here (linked above), so we can all continue to appreciate his great artwork.
Forum Signature
"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

Send Softhackle a Private Message

Latest Posts By Softhackle

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
3
Jul 11, 2012
by Softhackle
27
Feb 16, 2012
by Softhackle
3
Oct 26, 2011
by Softhackle
15
Aug 21, 2011
by Softhackle
1
Dec 21, 2010
by Softhackle
3
Jun 26, 2008
by Softhackle
9
May 29, 2008
by Softhackle
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy