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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

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.

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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.

wooly buggers, Page 2

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Apr 16, 2010April 16th, 2010, 9:32 am EDT

Ah, you know me, Spence, always looking for a bone to pick...Just thought I would kick the discussion up a notch. BTW, besides the MBU, what's YOUR favorite WB (if you have one)?

I think the beauty of fly tackle is that, given the circumstances, I can switch from a #16 Adams to a #4 WB, then to a #12 Gold-Ribbed Hair's ear, then to a #6 deer hair bass bug, then to a #2 weighted stonefly...All on my 8.5-foot 5-weight, and at most with the addition or subtraction of some tippet material. (On my 8-weight, I can switch from a #6 Glo-bug or a #12 nymph to a #6/0, 7" long weighted pike streamer!) Sure, the casting dynamics might change, but as a veteran flyrodder I know how to adjust without skipping a beat. And we all know there are days you gotta do this to keep on top of things and catch something. As in, when I have fished Dix Pond in Ann Arbor and I 'm throwing little bitty wet flies at the bluegill, and then a big brown submarine cruises into view and I have to hurry up and tie on a WB, KBF, or deer hair bug to get their attention (those 'gills just nip at the tails of those larger flies). The versatility is wonderful - you can go right from throwing something 1/4" long to something 3" long (or more) depending on who is swimming or rising in front of you.

THAT's why I'm a fly fisherman. Also see my latest post on the "opening day Trout april 1st ADVICE???" thread for my "fly-fishing manifesto" - it's the latest post on that thread.

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...