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.
This one seems to lead to Couplet 35 of the Key to Genera of Perlodidae Nymphs and the genus Isoperla, but I'm skeptical that's correct based on the general look. I need to get it under the microscope to review several choices in the key, and it'll probably end up a different Perlodidae.
This dun molted most of the way into a spinner (though the wings got stuck) the evening after I photographed it, so I took some more photos of the spinner.
I found a female nearby, probably of the same species.
Martinlf on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 8:27 am EST
So, in about a month olives will be hatching heavily in Central PA. Does anyone have a favorite pattern or secret weapon? Mine is a klinkhamer style emerger tied to match the natural, with a white or orange post for those slate grey days when I can't see anything on the water. If the fish seem picky, I'll go to a dun post, though.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
PaulRoberts on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 9:52 am EST
I use a Comparadun and a CDC parachute for the unsophisticated little trout I now fish for, although "sophistication" is often associated with water type. Some flatwater stretches and pools I fish can be challenging.
Martinlf on Jan 30, 2016January 30th, 2016, 4:51 pm EST
Paul, how do you tie your CDC parachute? Do you use the CDC for hackle, like Shane Stalcup and Ed Engle do? I've tied a few of these, and like the design. I've become a fan of CDC comparaduns of late, having them work very well a time or two.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
PaulRoberts on Jan 31, 2016January 31st, 2016, 4:16 am EST
No, CDC for the post. And regular deer hair Comparaduns. I also fish mergers of rabbit foot hairs (akin to the Usual) and goose "downy barbs" used as a dubbing ball, and an indicator hackled fly too. All are pretty standard designs nowadays.