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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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.

I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.

The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.

Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Lobotyler
Posts: 1
Lobotyler on Aug 21, 2014August 21st, 2014, 10:40 pm EDT
So far all i know is that i need a 5wt rod thats is 8'6" to 9'. It has to be $150 or under(or at least close). Ive been looking at the redington crosswater and PATH. Also ive looked at the st.croix Rio santo rod. Are these good rods? Is Ross a respectable brand? Any opinions on good brands?(to get myself acquainted to the companies)
Kschaefer3
Kschaefer3's profile picture
St. Paul, MN

Posts: 376
Kschaefer3 on Aug 22, 2014August 22nd, 2014, 6:17 am EDT
I fished a St. Croix Rio Santo for seven years until I took the plunge and upgraded this year. It is a great rod for a beginner to learn on and is incredibly durable. I would always recommend that rod to someone starting out in fly fishing. I also like that it is made in Park Falls, WI, but I have a midwestern bias.

I have never fished either of the Redington rods, but know people who have really liked their middle to lower end rods.

I own one Ross reel and love it. Solid construction, solid drag.
Roguerat
Roguerat's profile picture
Posts: 456
Roguerat on Aug 22, 2014August 22nd, 2014, 9:22 am EDT
Lobotyler,

first, welcome to the Forum- lots of good informed opinions here, and some sporadic strange stuff too- a good mix, all in all!

I'll echo Kschaefer3's comments on St Croix rods, I've got a half-dozen of their 'entry-level' and mid-price rods in 4 through 8 wt and various lengths. I have yet to be disappointed in their performance- they do what they're designed and intended to do.

HAVE FUN, that's what its all about.

Roguerat

I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him..'
Motrout
Motrout's profile picture
Posts: 319
Motrout on Aug 24, 2014August 24th, 2014, 11:44 am EDT
Yeah, I pretty much exclusively fish St. Croix Rods, and I would highly recommend them. Unless you're thinking you'll fish small, brushy streams a disproportionate amount of the time, a 9' 5 weight is a good "generalist" rod.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/

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