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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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.
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.
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Troutfisher on Feb 18, 2015February 18th, 2015, 10:03 am EST
Hey All!
I am looking at setting up a new fly fishing setup. I will be doing mostly small stream fishing like Little Lehigh PA, Big Lehigh, etc. They are pretty small streams. My question is what would you experienced folks recommend as far as rod height, weight, string weight, etc. I am newer to fly fishing. I had a fly rod before but, it was 12' and I didn't like it. Any feedback would be great. Thanks! I want to be ready for opening day!
I am looking at setting up a new fly fishing setup. I will be doing mostly small stream fishing like Little Lehigh PA, Big Lehigh, etc. They are pretty small streams. My question is what would you experienced folks recommend as far as rod height, weight, string weight, etc. I am newer to fly fishing. I had a fly rod before but, it was 12' and I didn't like it. Any feedback would be great. Thanks! I want to be ready for opening day!
Wbranch on Feb 18, 2015February 18th, 2015, 11:48 am EST
Troutfisher,
I would recommend an 8' or 8' 6" fly rod for a #5 line. BTW it is called fly line and not string. You need what is called a "weight forward floating" line. With this outfit you will be able to catch trout in all the streams you mentioned.
You didn't mention a budget but Cabela's sells fly fishing combos from about $150 to $250 and that includes the rod, reel, line, backing, and often a tube or case to put the rod into. All you need in a few leaders, a couple of spools of tippet material and the flies.
There is another post in the archives of this forum with the title "Five Must Have Flies" or something like that. Look it up in the archives and you will find a bunch of posts written by the experienced fly fishers on this forum to help you make the right selections.
I would recommend an 8' or 8' 6" fly rod for a #5 line. BTW it is called fly line and not string. You need what is called a "weight forward floating" line. With this outfit you will be able to catch trout in all the streams you mentioned.
You didn't mention a budget but Cabela's sells fly fishing combos from about $150 to $250 and that includes the rod, reel, line, backing, and often a tube or case to put the rod into. All you need in a few leaders, a couple of spools of tippet material and the flies.
There is another post in the archives of this forum with the title "Five Must Have Flies" or something like that. Look it up in the archives and you will find a bunch of posts written by the experienced fly fishers on this forum to help you make the right selections.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Flyflinger on Feb 19, 2015February 19th, 2015, 3:56 am EST
Troutfisher, you live in a wonderland of fly fishing, much more than my state. PA has a very long and rich tradition of experienced fly anglers, fly fishing innovators, gifted instructors and guides, and bountiful fly shops. The best advice I can give you is find a class that can give you an overall instruction in fly fishing, casting, and selection of equipment. PA has a slew of them available, some close to where you live.
As far as a fly rod appropriate for what you now believe to be small streams, most anglers I know suggest for general trout fishing a nine-foot, five-weight, moderate-fast fly rod. However, you may find a shorter rod and a lighter weight more appropriate if you a certain you'll only fish smaller streams with lots of trees and bushes lining the streams. But why not wait to buy until you expand your knowledge. You may very well find your initial assumption will change. Some shops rent rods for a nominal fee, which would help you make your eventual selection. There are lots of rods available that would not wipe out your overall fly fishing budget and cast and fight fish remarkably well. Postpone your selection of a reel until you make your final selection of a rod.
As far as a fly rod appropriate for what you now believe to be small streams, most anglers I know suggest for general trout fishing a nine-foot, five-weight, moderate-fast fly rod. However, you may find a shorter rod and a lighter weight more appropriate if you a certain you'll only fish smaller streams with lots of trees and bushes lining the streams. But why not wait to buy until you expand your knowledge. You may very well find your initial assumption will change. Some shops rent rods for a nominal fee, which would help you make your eventual selection. There are lots of rods available that would not wipe out your overall fly fishing budget and cast and fight fish remarkably well. Postpone your selection of a reel until you make your final selection of a rod.
Troutfisher on Feb 19, 2015February 19th, 2015, 4:49 am EST
Thanks all!! I have a cabellas within an hour and an llbean that offers lessons. I still have some old tippit and leaders to use
Martinlf on Feb 19, 2015February 19th, 2015, 9:36 am EST
You're set, then. Ask them to let you cast some rods in the parking lot (or nearby grass) and pick the one that feels best to you. Go get 'em. That is when this bone chilling cold lets up. Below zero here tonight.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Flyflinger on Feb 19, 2015February 19th, 2015, 11:53 pm EST
Thanks all!! I have a cabellas within an hour and an llbean that offers lessons. I still have some old tippit and leaders to use
Recommend you throw away your old tippet and leaders. Mono degrades over time, esp. if exposed to UV light. It would be a shame to lose a quality fish because your leader or tippet broke upon a strike. Of course, old tippet works quite well for "long-line release." :-)
Troutfisher on Feb 21, 2015February 21st, 2015, 12:43 pm EST
Yeah I guess I'll get everything new. Hopefully tax return will be enough :)
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