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.
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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.
- 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.
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Joakim on Jul 17, 2020July 17th, 2020, 5:42 pm EDT
Me and my way better half is considering to go to a music festival in Whitefish, MT in July next year. And we are wondering how the waters around there are around that time (normally), is it there a risk of heavy run-off at that time?
Joakim on Jul 17, 2020July 17th, 2020, 5:58 pm EDT
If I need to mention, the trip will only happen in case the pandemic situation allows.
Martinlf on Jul 18, 2020July 18th, 2020, 9:38 am EDT
Joakim, perhaps someone on here will know better than I do. If Matt sees this he may comment. As far as I know, there is no way to predict snowfall and runoff this far in advance. It may vary in different locations, but I had planned to fish near Wolf Creek, and cancelled due to the pandemic. A buddy tells me they had heavy runoff in early July, and said it's just as well I didn't go. But there was no way to know this last July. It seems to vary from year to year in that area.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Stickstring on Jul 18, 2020July 18th, 2020, 3:10 pm EDT
When is mid July for you and how close do you want to be to Whitefish? We are just about clear of run off issues this year and I’d say we are mid July. There are lots of good streams that clear up more quickly and some that you may want to fish if the water is a little higher. The Thompson River often is good earlier than the rest off Highway 2, maybe around an hour drive from Whitefish. If the water is down in time, the middle fork of the Flathead would be another good spot.
And if you are working with a guide, there are always some other options, such as some local lakes or wade spots, that they can point you toward even during the worst of it. Always fishing to be had ;)
And if you are working with a guide, there are always some other options, such as some local lakes or wade spots, that they can point you toward even during the worst of it. Always fishing to be had ;)
Joakim on Jul 19, 2020July 19th, 2020, 3:20 am EDT
Joakim, perhaps someone on here will know better than I do. If Matt sees this he may comment. As far as I know, there is no way to predict snowfall and runoff this far in advance. It may vary in different locations, but I had planned to fish near Wolf Creek, and cancelled due to the pandemic. A buddy tells me they had heavy runoff in early July, and said it's just as well I didn't go. But there was no way to know this last July. It seems to vary from year to year in that area.
Thank you, good to know.
Yeah it’s hard to say how things will be so far in advance. The music will be good however. We’ll see about the fishing.
Joakim on Jul 19, 2020July 19th, 2020, 3:25 am EDT
When is mid July for you and how close do you want to be to Whitefish? We are just about clear of run off issues this year and I’d say we are mid July. There are lots of good streams that clear up more quickly and some that you may want to fish if the water is a little higher. The Thompson River often is good earlier than the rest off Highway 2, maybe around an hour drive from Whitefish. If the water is down in time, the middle fork of the Flathead would be another good spot.
And if you are working with a guide, there are always some other options, such as some local lakes or wade spots, that they can point you toward even during the worst of it. Always fishing to be had ;)
Great advice and insight, thank you!
The festival is around the 17-18th, it’s probably best to fish after the event it seems, rather than before which was the original idea.
I usually do a guided trip, if the wallet allows. Girlfriend is a beginner and if I can pay someone to do the untangling that’s great. (To be honest she doesn’t tangle much at all)
Stickstring on Jul 19, 2020July 19th, 2020, 3:34 am EDT
Great. Sent you a PM with a couple other thoughts. You guys should have a blast.
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