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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 July 31, 2004

Updates from July 31, 2004

Photos by Troutnut

This deer ran at least a hundred yards in front of our canoe before it finally decided to get out of the river.  Here it just hurdled a beaver dam.
This is one of the best-looking spots for a big trout that I've ever seen; all the river's current pushes food into one deep, narrow lane full of overhead cover and obstructions for fish to hold behind. I've not caught anything in the few times I've fished it, but I suspect that's my fault, not the river's.
Brad Bohen and I were scouting on this canoe trip, so we didn't stop to fish this appealing remote hole. I suspect it holds monsters--it's certainly fine water, far from where others usually fish.

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin in Wisconsin

Female Acentrella (Baetidae) (Tiny Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from unknown in Wisconsin
I've lost the date information for this specimen and taken a guess.

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