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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.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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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Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 1:28 am EDT
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 8:43 am EDT
Matt,

Others can advise you about access and conditions much better than I can. I understand that the Little J does have March Browns. They should be emerging now. As is the case on many Eastern waters, that hatch is often sparse rather than concentrated and often extends into early June. The "sulphur" that should also be emerging is invaria. On most PA trout streams that have them, the dorothea hatch typically begins later (toward the end of the month). Although I'm not at all sure that "true" dorothea occur on the J, perhaps there are some. Many of the smaller, later sulphurs that are often attributed to dorothea are continuations of the invaria hatch. In areas with extended hatches of invaria, they become smaller and somewhat lighter in color as the hatch continues. However, that taxonomic distinction makes only very slight differences from a fishing standpoint, and probably is only of interest to nitpickers (like me). :)
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 8:50 am EDT
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on May 17, 2009May 17th, 2009, 8:51 am EDT
I suspected that would be the case--enjoy! (And report back after your visit.)

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