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.

Dorsal view of a Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.

Male Baetis bicaudatus (BWO) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Lateral view of a Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Dorsal view of a Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Ventral view of a Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
This image is enhanced in false color to show the fine setae on the tail.

Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington
Ruler view of a Male Baetis bicaudatus (Baetidae) (BWO) Mayfly Nymph from Chatter Creek in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This mayfly was collected from Chatter Creek in Washington on June 3rd, 2022 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on June 4th, 2022.


Start a Discussion of Nymph

Male Baetis bicaudatus (BWO) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Chatter Creek, Washington
Date: June 3rd, 2022
Added to site: June 4th, 2022
Author: Troutnut
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy