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.
Color of "wings in the air" can be misidentified too. Often they are picked out when in bright sunshine making them look brighter than they might be in hand. Or conversely, they can look dull in shadow. There are lots of "tan caddis" than are decidedly gray or brown in hand.
Problem as far as the rust colored body bugs go. is.... they seldom are available to trout
I am very confused now. While not prolific I was always under the impression that the Orange Sedges I have been seeing on the Gunnison river at 5,039 feet were October Caddis.
Dubbin -
I am very confused now. While not prolific I was always under the impression that the Orange Sedges I have been seeing on the Gunnison river at 5,039 feet were October Caddis.
No need to be confused, as you were right in your original assumption. The two species of Dicosmoecus that Dave mentioned are both commonly referred to as October Caddis and look virtually identical. The fact that atripes is common above 5,300' in little creeks as he reported doesn't mean it can't be found in larger streams a little lower.