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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 Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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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This discussion is about Denali Highway.

Swampbuggy Lake. This is one of the prettiest scenes where the road winds along the Clearwater Mountains.

From Denali Highway in Alaska
Clearwater Mountains. This general area was the site of much of my frantic hunting action on the last day of the season, at morning and dusk.

From Denali Highway in Alaska
Mt Deborah (left) and Hess Mountain (right)

From Denali Highway in Alaska
Mt Deborah (left) and Hess Mountain (right)

From Denali Highway in Alaska
Troutc
Posts: 1
Troutc on Mar 9, 2012March 9th, 2012, 4:06 pm EST
Glad you didn't give away all the good fishing holes on the Denali Highway. Lived up there for 23 years and that road has some of the best Grayling fishing I've ever seen. I know there are a dozen little streams names Fish Creek in AK, but am wondering if the Fish Creek in your pictures in the same as the one on the Denali Highway. Nice Job
Troutnut
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Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Mar 9, 2012March 9th, 2012, 11:36 pm EST
The Fish Creek in my pictures isn't the one on the Denali Highway. It's true there's good grayling fishing all up and down that highway, but the same can be said for most of interior Alaska if you do some leg work off the road and explore.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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