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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.

Lateral view of a Onocosmoecus (Limnephilidae) (Great Late-Summer Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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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Crane Flies

Crane Flies are most important to trout in the larval stage, especially when high water disturbs their often large, grub-like larvae into the drift. The adults are occasionally important enough to cause selective feeding, but it is a rare occurrence.


This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.

True Fly Family Tipulidae

These are pretty much always called Crane Flies.
Craneflies are only occasionally important. There are rumors of fishable mating flights, but most anglers will not encounter them. The larvae are probably the most important stage in the trout's diet.
Lateral view of a Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Adult from Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania
Tipulidae (Crane Fly) True Fly Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

Crane Flies

Scientific Name
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