Header image
Enter a name
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.

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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Adams

Like most common names,"Adams" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 5 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.

Mayfly Species Siphlonurus alternatus

These are often called Adams.
This species occasionally produces important spinner falls. Its spinners may join the swarms of Siphlonurus quebecensis or Siphlonurus rapidus, amplifying the importance of all three species.
Lateral view of a Female Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Gallatin River in Montana
I'm tentatively classifying this one as Siphlonurus alternatus, because it seems to fit that species best in the old keys in Needham's Biology of Mayflies, but I'm hesitant because I can't find documentation that southwest Montana or the surrounding area is within the species' range, although they are widely distributed throughout eastern North American and western Canada.
Dorsal view of a Siphlonurus alternatus (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Mayfly Species Siphlonurus quebecensis

These are often called Adams.
This is the Siphlonurus species I have encountered most frequently on Eastern trout waters. I often find its spinners swarming in a mix with Siphlonurus alternatus, and I have read that Siphlonurus rapidus may join these groups as well.
Female Siphlonurus quebecensis (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Dun from unknown in Wisconsin
This one hatched in my house after I brought some nymphs home to photograph.
Lateral view of a Male Siphlonurus quebecensis (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Spinner from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Siphlonurus mayfly nymph. These mayflies are known as strong swimmers that maneuver like minnows across the stream bottom

Artistic view of a Siphlonurus quebecensis (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Delaware River in New York

Mayfly Species Siphlonurus rapidus

These are sometimes called Adams.
This species may reinforce spinner flights of Siphlonurus quebecensis and Siphlonurus alternatus.
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy