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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ICM
Posts: 4
Posts: 4
ICM on Apr 8, 2016April 8th, 2016, 6:48 am EDT
Anyone use/compare SA Sharkwave GPX and Orvis HD Power Taper? Head lengths, grain weights,tapers and texturing appear nearly identical.Is performance the same? Might also consider Sharkwave Anadro.
Wbranch on Apr 8, 2016April 8th, 2016, 4:15 pm EDT
I prefer the Orvis Hydros HD line. You will still get another 10 - 15 feet to your cast but the pebbling is smaller, much less noisy going through the guides and the line won't cut your fingers as easily if you have a fish zipping line down river or you are false casting and/or double hauling and the line is going through your fingers.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
ICM
Posts: 4
Posts: 4
ICM on Apr 13, 2016April 13th, 2016, 8:18 am EDT
Doesn't Hd Power Taper have the same diamond texture tip as the Sharkwave GPX?
Wbranch on Apr 13, 2016April 13th, 2016, 6:26 pm EDT
The Orvis Hydros HD line has smaller pebbling and it definitely makes less noise going through the guides. It still shoots very well. I have that line in #4 - #6. I use it all the time on my Orvis Helios 2 9' #4 rod.
BTW I don't know what a HD Power Taper is.
BTW I don't know what a HD Power Taper is.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
ICM
Posts: 4
Posts: 4
ICM on Apr 14, 2016April 14th, 2016, 4:36 am EDT
HD Power Taper is Orvis' 1/2 overweighted line - 6wt HD Trout grain wt 160;
HD Power Taper and SA Sharkwave GPX 173.
HD Power Taper and SA Sharkwave GPX 173.
Wbranch on Apr 14, 2016April 14th, 2016, 4:42 am EDT
HD Power Taper is Orvis' 1/2 overweighted line - 6wt HD Trout grain wt 160; HD Power Taper and SA Sharkwave GPX 173.
Are you referring to a sinking line? If so I have no knowledge of sinking lines and the grain weights. The only sinking line I have ever used is a streamer tip where the first 10' - 15' sinks. Other than that line all sinking lines are an enigma to me.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Willy on Apr 18, 2016April 18th, 2016, 11:57 am EDT
I really like the Rio Perception on my H2 5wt mid-flex. It should be a really good all around line, and the GPX is a similar taper. I've cast the Anadro on a one-piece 6wt H2 prototype, and it was insanely powerful. Nothing delicate about it, but if you want to sling big stuff, that could be a fun line.
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