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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Martinlf on Dec 3, 2015December 3rd, 2015, 8:41 pm EST
I was going to second the comment on the Prince too. George Daniels fishes it, and I'm sure he knows how to catch a fish or two, but I haven't tied one yet. I keep saying I'll give it a try, but so far other flies have filled my boxes.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
TimCat on Dec 3, 2015December 3rd, 2015, 9:05 pm EST
What's in a name? Maybe that has something to do with it as well. I know people have spoke about the confidence in the fly you fish and the impact that may have... If we can take anything from this thread, maybe it is that you can't judge a book (fly) by its cover. We all know the variables of this fly fishing thing can be daunting and throw a wrench into our so-called systems...
Perhaps this could be a lesson for life experiences. Whether it is fly fishing or life in general, maybe we should all try something new tomorrow, or give something a second chance!
Perhaps this could be a lesson for life experiences. Whether it is fly fishing or life in general, maybe we should all try something new tomorrow, or give something a second chance!
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" - Bob Lawless
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