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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.
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Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Lateral view of a Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
Dorsal view of a Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
Ventral view of a Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington
This specimen is on top, photographed with a couple others of the same species showcasing some variations.

Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This mayfly was collected from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington on April 23rd, 2023 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 2nd, 2023.


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Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Mystery Creek #308, Washington
Date: April 23rd, 2023
Added to site: May 2nd, 2023
Author: Troutnut
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