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.
This one pretty clearly keys to Kogotus, but it also looks fairly different from specimens I caught in the same creek about a month later in the year. With only one species of the genus known in Washington, I'm not sure about the answer to this ID.
Kroil on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 5:30 am EDT
This is a tough one and I will give you some clues if nobody gets the right answer.
When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns. - Jack Handey
Kroil on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 11:09 am EDT
Dind Ding ding ding ding...
Survey says:
CORRECT!
I found this little bugger and about 400 of his friends in my waders.
It appears that they, like ephemoptera, need moist, nutrient rich environments to survive.
WBranch wins this contest and I am sending him a broken vial of specimens to examine further.
Anyone else want some specimens?
Seems I have a surplus right now.
When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns. - Jack Handey
Troutnut on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 2:24 pm EDT
Just when this thread is headed toward needing moderation, I, the only moderator, have decided to bail on it and not check back... you're on your own, guys. Good luck! :-P
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Martinlf on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 4:30 pm EDT
If trout don't eat it, it doesn't get a reaction from me. . . . Hmmm . . . I wonder if they just might. OK, take several skinnydipping hippies (or politicians) in the Main Stem and some midge eating trout downstream looking for something new to munch on . . .
Now for the extra credit part of the exam: Matt, what size hook do I need to tie an imitation? And Kroil, just how did they get in your waders? Who have you been letting wear them? . . . and do I need to rethink our proposed fishing trip (due to my answer to the first exam)? Much food for thought here.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"