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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 Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.
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.

Lateral view of a Stenochironomus poecilopterus (Chironomidae) Midge Adult from Mystery Creek #62 in New York
GONZO
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"Bear Swamp," PA

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GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 8:28 am EDT
After looking at Falsifly's cool midge pictures (and badly misinterpreting them), I decided to attempt a midge identification. That's a scary prospect for me, but I picked this one because the distinctive wing, body, and leg markings made it easy to follow the key.
Troutnut
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Bellevue, WA

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Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 9:39 am EDT
Neat. I moved it into Stenochironomus, but I don't even have midge species in the database.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
GONZO
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"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:21 am EDT
Bummer, Jason! This may be the only midge that I'll ever be able to ID to species. (I was thinking of naming Falsifly's midge Meaculpa maxima, but my Latin isn't good enough to be sure that the gender of the species agrees with the genus.) :)

PS--I think my favorite name for a real midge is Dicrotendipes thanatogratus. John Epler named that species for the Grateful Dead!
Troutnut
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Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:36 am EDT
Okay, I added it just for you! A midge species ID deserves at least that much reward, if not some kind of medal...
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
GONZO
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"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:37 am EDT
Thanks! I am deeply honored by your gesture.
Troutnut
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Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:42 am EDT
Now I've just got to collect a specimen of Dicrotendipes thanatogratus and we'll be all set. Any idea where to start?
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
GONZO
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"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:48 am EDT
Pack your bags and your Bermudas, Jason. I believe that Dr. Epler probably found it in Florida.
Troutnut
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Troutnut on Apr 1, 2009April 1st, 2009, 11:52 am EDT
Wow, I don't know what would happen if I were to travel that far from the nearest salmonid. I have survived a couple years in the absence of nearby wild trout, but the plentiful large Arctic grayling do make that easier. Florida might be a bit too treacherous!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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