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.
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This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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Dunde on May 21, 2011May 21st, 2011, 10:41 pm EDT
im new to tying flys and fly fishing. i want to know how u get the end of the flys fluffy so if enyone reply that will be good.THANKS:)
CaseyP on May 22, 2011May 22nd, 2011, 5:45 am EDT
fluffy...for a wooley bugger or other fly with a marabou tail, two things will make the tail fluffier: more marabou, and tying it carefully at one place. be sure not to allow the thread to wander around the area because that will bind down all those fibers you want to fluff up.
remember, too, that once the fly is wet and you take it out of the water, it's going to look pretty pathetic--all mushed flat. it took my Best Fishing Buddy a while to realize that what he thought were rabbit-poop shaped wet flies actually fluffed out underwater and looked alive. same with marabou tails.
hope this helps.
remember, too, that once the fly is wet and you take it out of the water, it's going to look pretty pathetic--all mushed flat. it took my Best Fishing Buddy a while to realize that what he thought were rabbit-poop shaped wet flies actually fluffed out underwater and looked alive. same with marabou tails.
hope this helps.
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Troutnut on May 22, 2011May 22nd, 2011, 11:45 pm EDT
I agree with Casey on the general advice. It would really be helpful if you say which flies you're tying. The best way to make them "fluffy" can be different for different types of flies.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
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