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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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.
- 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.
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Wbranch on Nov 14, 2020November 14th, 2020, 4:08 am EST
I went out yesterday as the weather was forecast to be 60 degrees by 3:00. I went out on Tuesday but it was so windy I had to leave after about two hours. I need to get a stern anchor in addition to the bow anchor to keep the bow being blown up river or just spinning on the tether.
I boated seven beasts in four hours plus a big Channel catfish of 23"/24". All the bass were 18" - 21.5". In my way of thinking a 21.5" smallmouth is as rare as a 25" wild trout. They were all very strong and fought very hard, running line on a tight drag.
I boated seven beasts in four hours plus a big Channel catfish of 23"/24". All the bass were 18" - 21.5". In my way of thinking a 21.5" smallmouth is as rare as a 25" wild trout. They were all very strong and fought very hard, running line on a tight drag.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Troutnut on Nov 14, 2020November 14th, 2020, 5:31 am EST
I saw those on Facebook. Awesome bass! What techniques are you using to chase big smallies at this time of year?
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Wbranch on Nov 14, 2020November 14th, 2020, 6:31 am EST
Hi Jason,
It is another of my secrets that I will be taking to my grave with me. I used to be so paranoid someone would figure out where I was that I would fudge the entire background with an editing tool. Now I figure they might kind of figure out what bridge it is but it is a piece of water about an acre in diameter and if you don't know the lay of the bottom and where the ledges and holes are they will just be wasting time. I will PM you.
It is another of my secrets that I will be taking to my grave with me. I used to be so paranoid someone would figure out where I was that I would fudge the entire background with an editing tool. Now I figure they might kind of figure out what bridge it is but it is a piece of water about an acre in diameter and if you don't know the lay of the bottom and where the ledges and holes are they will just be wasting time. I will PM you.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Partsman on Nov 14, 2020November 14th, 2020, 7:38 am EST
Awesome Matt! I have not spent much time on smallmouths here in Michigan lately, I hope to remedy that next summer.
Mike.
Mike.
Martinlf on Nov 16, 2020November 16th, 2020, 8:36 am EST
Nice work, Matt.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wbranch on Nov 16, 2020November 16th, 2020, 12:06 pm EST
It was great to be out - I've never had the boat out after late October. Friday was forecast to warm up by 2:00 so I went out at noon. Quite windy at first but still hooking up. Seven really big bass in just four hours is pretty amazing. In my mind a 21.5" smallmouth is akin to catching a 25" trout. It is very rare.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
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