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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 Male Ameletus vernalis (Ameletidae) (Brown Dun) Mayfly Nymph from the Icicle River in Washington
Keying this one out using Zloty & Pritchard 1997:
-No ganglionic markings on sternites 2–8
-Posterior margins of sternits 6–8 without numerous spines
-Mesal gill extension well developed (I really don't like the "well developed" language when it's subjective, but in this case the other option doesn't lead anywhere productive)
-Tails pale in basal 1/3
-Larger species (13–16 mm) — this one is just shy of 12 mm, but closer to 13 than to <10
-Spring emergence
This all points to Ameletus vernalis.
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.

Updates from June 9, 2006

Updates from June 9, 2006

On-stream insect photos by Troutnut from Miscellaneous Wisconsin in Wisconsin

These caddisflies were thick over the water in the evening on a cold, clear northwoods lake.  They were in many places on the lake, all closer to the shady shore, which also was the shore most sheltered from the wind.  I'm not sure which of those features attracted them.

From Lake Owen in Wisconsin
This is Nectopsyche albida.  Elongate wing connotes female.

From Lake Owen in Wisconsin

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