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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It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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Troutnut.com User Dano (Dan Jennings)
Troutnut.com User Dano (Dan Jennings)
Real Name
Dan Jennings
Location
Vanderbilt, Michigan
Biography & Thoughts
I consider the lower Little Manistee River to be my "home stream". Other waters frequently fished are the Au Sable, Boardman River, Jordan River, upper Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, and the Pigeon River.
My basic thoughts on angling are that whatever method one uses, they are still a part of the angling fraternity and I consider them "brothers". I do own spinning equipment and often spin, especially in the early season. Personally, I draw the line with bait. Like my approach to fly fishing (KISS), my spinning approach is the same, Rapalas, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, and a few Mepps are all that occupy my tackle box.
I do practice catch and release but not to the extent where I preach it nor is it practiced 100% of the time. At most, I'll harvest less than a half dozen per season. On average I'll catch nearly a couple hundred trout a season; my conscience is very clear.
I view angling as a time for quiet contemplantion in commune with what nature has to offer and am of the very firm belief that the archer is far more important than the arrow. For the most part, my flies consist of what now have become "the classics" and my main referance is the Index of Orvis Fly Patterns with both Supplements. I do experiment some with my own designs and have incorporated a few of them in my regular arsonel. Not being a practioner of "Zen" I have, however, developed over the years a Zen like state once I'm streamside. I know without a doubt where the trout are and approach them accordingly (last season I was skunked only once, the first time in over 5 years).
If there was but one piece of advice that I would pass along to a neophyte angler it would be to know your quarry and that presentation of the lure is paramount....
My basic thoughts on angling are that whatever method one uses, they are still a part of the angling fraternity and I consider them "brothers". I do own spinning equipment and often spin, especially in the early season. Personally, I draw the line with bait. Like my approach to fly fishing (KISS), my spinning approach is the same, Rapalas, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, and a few Mepps are all that occupy my tackle box.
I do practice catch and release but not to the extent where I preach it nor is it practiced 100% of the time. At most, I'll harvest less than a half dozen per season. On average I'll catch nearly a couple hundred trout a season; my conscience is very clear.
I view angling as a time for quiet contemplantion in commune with what nature has to offer and am of the very firm belief that the archer is far more important than the arrow. For the most part, my flies consist of what now have become "the classics" and my main referance is the Index of Orvis Fly Patterns with both Supplements. I do experiment some with my own designs and have incorporated a few of them in my regular arsonel. Not being a practioner of "Zen" I have, however, developed over the years a Zen like state once I'm streamside. I know without a doubt where the trout are and approach them accordingly (last season I was skunked only once, the first time in over 5 years).
If there was but one piece of advice that I would pass along to a neophyte angler it would be to know your quarry and that presentation of the lure is paramount....
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Eventually, all things merge into one...and a river runs through it.
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