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.

Turquoise view of Upper Titcomb Lake

From Titcomb Basin in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Zapada cinctipes (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph Zapada cinctipes (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Zapada cinctipes (Nemouridae) (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.

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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.

Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Darth Vader???

Freepow has attached this picture to aid in identification. The message is below.

Freepow
menomonie, WI

Posts: 83

Freepow on Jun 11, 2008June 11th, 2008, 3:25 pm EDT

I described this little black mayfly to a kind gentleman on the river and he replied..."ah yes, the Darth Vader." I researched that term for mayflies and came up with Serretella Deficiens. Does this look right? The picture is a little blurry because the thing was so small but I think I can get some input based on color alone. Thanks all.

"I fish...because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip..."

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jun 11, 2008June 11th, 2008, 5:27 pm EDT

Despite the blurry photo, Jason, I'll second the ID. Serratella deficiens is a fairly distinctive little mayfly, and the timing is right.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Jun 12, 2008June 12th, 2008, 10:31 am EDT

For what it's worth, I'll third it. :)

Neat little hatch, isn't it? I ran into it a couple times on the Namekagon and the fish seemed especially keen on those mayflies, maybe because their dark color makes them easier to see and identify.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197

Shawnny3 on Jun 12, 2008June 12th, 2008, 12:14 pm EDT

What the heck, I'll fourth it. My first definitive insect ID - I'm quite pleased with myself.

-Shawn

Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
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