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.
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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Arthropod Class Collembola (Springtails)
Collembola are actually a subclass of a class called Entognatha. They are the most common of the only six-legged arthropods (Hexapods) that aren't insects. Many Collembolans are terrestrial, but some live on the surface of their water, and they can be a supplemental food source for trout, especially young-of-the-year trout.
They rarely grow longer than 6mm or occur in trout streams in such numbers that an imitation with a fly is warranted, but they are interesting creatures.
They rarely grow longer than 6mm or occur in trout streams in such numbers that an imitation with a fly is warranted, but they are interesting creatures.
1 Streamside Picture of Springtails:
This is Troutnut.com's first picture of a springtail, a type of six-legged, non-insect arthropod. It's riding on the surface film under the mayfly's left tail.
In this picture: Arthropod Class Collembola (Springtail) and Mayfly Genus Cinygmula (Dark Red Quill).
Start a Discussion of Collembola
Arthropod Class Collembola (Springtails)
Taxonomy
8 orders (Entomobryidae, Hypogastruridae, Isotomidae, Mackenziellidae, Neelidae, Onchyiuridae, Onychiuridae, and Sminthuridae) aren't included.