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.

Stream photos

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

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.

15 Recently Added Photos

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.

First trip of 2011

Report at a Glance

General Region	Centre County, PA
Specific Location	Spring Creek - started at Benner water ended below Paradis
Dates Fished	Friday 02/18
Time of Day	8 - 4
Fish Caught	Nine wild browns
Conditions & Hatches	Nice day, air was 52 degrees at 8:00 a.m. but didn't get any warmer than 57 degrees at 2:00. Wind got bad from noon to when I quit. No bugs and no rising fish. The Benner water is off color with virtually no clarity. Water below Paradise is clearer - there is more snow on the ground at the Benner water hence more melting.

Details and Discussion

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Feb 18, 2011February 18th, 2011, 3:17 pm EST

Very tough catching. Most success on #12 Walt's Worm on a 3X long hook with brown magic marker back. Also took some fish on a #16 Lighting Bug. The Benner water was very crowded! Eight cars there at 8:00 a.m. and sixteen cars when I went down river at 2:30. Considering how windy it got I had a decent day. BTW the water temperature when I started was just 43 degrees and I checked it again at 4:00 and it was only 46 degrees. I lot of snow melt is running into the creek.

Flow at Axeman was 160 cfs (yesterday evening it was just 100 cfs) flow at Milesburg is 304 cfs - Logan Branch is putting in a lot of water.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Feb 18, 2011February 18th, 2011, 3:52 pm EST

Not too bad, Matt. Wish I could have been there! Neat trick with the dark back on the WW. What's a Lightning Bug?

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Feb 19, 2011February 19th, 2011, 12:57 am EST

Louis,

Here is a photo of a generic Lighting Bug. I tie mine with a collar of two turns of brown hen hackle and a short tail.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Feb 19, 2011February 19th, 2011, 7:55 am EST

Cool. I looked it up on Google and found lots of variations. The bead and mylar body seems to be the constant.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Feb 19, 2011February 19th, 2011, 1:52 pm EST

Yes, without tinsel body it is not a LB.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

JOHNW

Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452

JOHNW on Feb 20, 2011February 20th, 2011, 9:37 am EST

I picked up a similar pattern a couple of summers ago on the Missouri. Same idea but no rib and the "thorax" was tied with olive ice dub.
I hoovered the river taht day an figured it should work back east. Now it is my go to nymph during baetis emergences.
JW

"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn