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.
Water boatmen are in the order Hemiptera, the "true bugs," along with water scorpions, giant water bugs, and backswimmers. They are present in many trout streams but are more important as a food source in lakes and spring ponds. The nymphs and adults look similar and the adults cannot breathe water, but carry small air bubbles with them for respiration. They sometimes fly up out of the water in the early season to mate, leaving anglers witnessing a very confusing "hatch."
This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.