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.
This dun molted most of the way into a spinner (though the wings got stuck) the evening after I photographed it, so I took some more photos of the spinner.
I found a female nearby, probably of the same species.
Martinlf on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 8:27 am EST
So, in about a month olives will be hatching heavily in Central PA. Does anyone have a favorite pattern or secret weapon? Mine is a klinkhamer style emerger tied to match the natural, with a white or orange post for those slate grey days when I can't see anything on the water. If the fish seem picky, I'll go to a dun post, though.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
PaulRoberts on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 9:52 am EST
I use a Comparadun and a CDC parachute for the unsophisticated little trout I now fish for, although "sophistication" is often associated with water type. Some flatwater stretches and pools I fish can be challenging.
Martinlf on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 4:51 pm EST
Paul, how do you tie your CDC parachute? Do you use the CDC for hackle, like Shane Stalcup and Ed Engle do? I've tied a few of these, and like the design. I've become a fan of CDC comparaduns of late, having them work very well a time or two.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
PaulRoberts on Jan 31, 2016January 31st, 2016, 4:16 am EST
No, CDC for the post. And regular deer hair Comparaduns. I also fish mergers of rabbit foot hairs (akin to the Usual) and goose "downy barbs" used as a dubbing ball, and an indicator hackled fly too. All are pretty standard designs nowadays.