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.
This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
GldstrmSam on Apr 15, 2012April 15th, 2012, 9:42 pm EDT
Are there any flies for Irish Lords, flounder or any other fish that you could catch off the shore of Kachemack Bay (Homer, AK) or a similar type of Bay? (Think deep water right of shore, old piers...).
Thanks in advance to you who will attempt to help me,
Sam
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm. ~Patrick F. McManus
Entoman on Apr 17, 2012April 17th, 2012, 3:25 pm EDT
Sounds like a new avenue to explore, Sam. Wished I could help...
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Troutnut on Apr 17, 2012April 17th, 2012, 7:33 pm EDT
I bet you could catch some pollock with streamers on a sinking line at that spot where lots of people fish off the tip of the spit. It generally helps to cast out really far, though, so I don't know how you'd do. I just fished there with a spinning rod and live bait, and caught lots of pollock and yellowfin sole, and one sculpin.
Fly fishing is really more of a freshwater thing in Alaska. It can be done in the salt (especially for salmon) but you have to really want it to go after bottomfish on the fly here.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut on Apr 18, 2012April 18th, 2012, 2:33 pm EDT
Most of those fish are 1-3 pounds, so they'd be great fun on a 5-weight. The main challenge will be casting distance. If you go down there, I really recommend bringing some spin-fishing gear with moderately heavy sinkers, so you can cast really far and get down to the bottom quickly. Fly fishing really isn't the best approach to that spot, but if you want to try it for the challenge, go for it!
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist