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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 Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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.
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Updates from February 19, 2006

Photos by Troutnut from the Chena River and in Alaska and

There are no trout here, but this beautiful river in Alaska is home to large Arctic Grayling and several species of salmon.

From the Chena River in Alaska
The high gradient kept this stretch of the river open despite the frigid winter temperature in central Alaska.

From the Chena River in Alaska
I spotted this moose calf resting in the snow across the road from the river I was photographing in Alaska in late February.

From Chena Hot Springs Road in Alaska
This is not a sunset picture, but a midday picture in Alaska in the winter.  The sun is low in the sky all day at that time of year.

From the Chena River in Alaska
This rock formation overlooks a grayling stream on the central Alaskan road system.
A thick layer of ice clings to the branches of low bushes over an Alaskan river in the winter.

From the Chena River in Alaska
This is a small, photogenic tributary of the main river I was photographing in Alaska.

From the Chena River tributary in Alaska
A tangled canopy of fir trees overhangs a small, completely frozen tributary of a grayling stream in central Alaska.

From Chena Hot Springs Road in Alaska
High hills in central Alaska overlook a mostly frozen river.

From the Chena River in Alaska
Dusk over a frozen grayling stream in Alaska.

From the Chena River in Alaska
Some pretty winter scenery in Alaska.

From the Chena River in Alaska

Updates from December 2, 2005

Closeup insects by Bnewell from Rock Creek in Montana

Prodiamesa (Chironomidae) Midge Larva from Rock Creek in Montana
Another head capsule of a chironomid showing the detail of the mouthparts.

Updates from November 22, 2005

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Flathead River in Montana

Stenonema terminatum (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Flathead River-lower in Montana
This is a subspecies M. terminatum terminatum, formerly called Stenonema. Found mostly in larger rivers in western Montana. This is an immature nymph.

Updates from November 13, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from Little Sandy Creek and the Salmon River in New York

This little Lake Ontario tributary looked beautiful in mid-November, but I found no lake run fish.

From Little Sandy Creek in New York
A strong rapids feeds into this famous salmon pool on a tributary of Lake Ontario.

From the Salmon River in New York

Updates from October 30, 2005

Photos by Troutnut from Toughannock Creek in New York

My then-girlfriend, now-wife took this picture with my camera.

From Toughannock Creek in New York

References

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