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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Report at a Glance
| General Region | NW Oregon |
| Specific Location | Upper Sandy |
| Dates Fished | St.Patty's |
| Time of Day | Brunch time |
| Fish Caught | Steelie!! |
Details and Discussion
Keystoner on Mar 28, 2013March 28th, 2013, 8:57 am EDT
I had been working the Sandy off and on all winter, and had really only gotten into one hatchery fish, which was taken at Oxbow Park. At some point, my lack of success, and the bait chucking masses got the better of me and I had a meltdown. I posted my tales of woe to another forum, and came up with an invite from a guy that I had actually met previously to come up and fish the upper river with him. I, of course, graciously accepted.
The morning of, I was a little off. We had been up late the night before drinking and talking Steelhead, so I had a little headache going. There was also a strong upstream wind at the first spot we fished, and I was finding it hard to maintain. Still, I soldiered on, fished the water completely, and then we retired for some breakfast. Dave had already taken one. Feeling a bit better after some steak, eggs, and potatoes, we set out again. The second run he put me on was a dream. Slow green braids twisting around some choicely positioned boulders.
I started casting.
About ten casts in, I got tired of the dumbell eyes I was tossing and traded up in favor of a simple un-weighted Hoh Bo pattern. I resumed casting. About ten swings, and nine steps down later. The line came tight. A second after the fish rolled on top, I heard Dave let out a deep "YEAH!!" from behind me. It was on. The first run was a killer, the fish took out at least 250 feet on me, waaaay into the backing before it finally quit. The rest as they say, is history. This is why I don't mind waiting two or three months between fish.
The morning of, I was a little off. We had been up late the night before drinking and talking Steelhead, so I had a little headache going. There was also a strong upstream wind at the first spot we fished, and I was finding it hard to maintain. Still, I soldiered on, fished the water completely, and then we retired for some breakfast. Dave had already taken one. Feeling a bit better after some steak, eggs, and potatoes, we set out again. The second run he put me on was a dream. Slow green braids twisting around some choicely positioned boulders.
I started casting.
About ten casts in, I got tired of the dumbell eyes I was tossing and traded up in favor of a simple un-weighted Hoh Bo pattern. I resumed casting. About ten swings, and nine steps down later. The line came tight. A second after the fish rolled on top, I heard Dave let out a deep "YEAH!!" from behind me. It was on. The first run was a killer, the fish took out at least 250 feet on me, waaaay into the backing before it finally quit. The rest as they say, is history. This is why I don't mind waiting two or three months between fish.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
Entoman on Mar 28, 2013March 28th, 2013, 2:34 pm EDT
Beautiful wild hen, Matt. Looks like a BC Steelie.... Heavy shouldered, hard, and all chrome! My guess 14 lbs?
"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
Keystoner on Mar 29, 2013March 29th, 2013, 7:54 pm EDT
Thanks, fellas. Not sure on the weight, Kurt. How does one put a number on, "Oh my god, that's awesome!!"
Headed back up there tomorrow, see if I can swing up some more. It's apparently REALLY hot right now.
Headed back up there tomorrow, see if I can swing up some more. It's apparently REALLY hot right now.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
Entoman on Mar 29, 2013March 29th, 2013, 8:29 pm EDT
How does one put a number on, "Oh my god, that's awesome!!"
By saying, "It was at least 14 lbs., maybe bigger!" ;)
"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
Entoman on Mar 29, 2013March 29th, 2013, 8:54 pm EDT
BTW - What do you think of big & wild WC Steelies? Size, genetics, salt water, and a big river to run in... They're a little different aren't they...
Anyway, congrats!
BTW2 - bring a tape with you. If you are honest (which all steelheaders are), length and girth steelhead formulas are very accurate.
BTW3 - another great thing about wild fish is their greater propensity to move up in the water column to take a fly. You may catch less fish swinging unweighted flies but a far greater percentage will be wild. Regardless, you will catch far more electric fish with a fly that swings than by dredging. That suits me just fine...
Anyway, congrats!
BTW2 - bring a tape with you. If you are honest (which all steelheaders are), length and girth steelhead formulas are very accurate.
BTW3 - another great thing about wild fish is their greater propensity to move up in the water column to take a fly. You may catch less fish swinging unweighted flies but a far greater percentage will be wild. Regardless, you will catch far more electric fish with a fly that swings than by dredging. That suits me just fine...
"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
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