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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TimCat on Jul 19, 2016July 19th, 2016, 4:08 pm EDT
As a person who does mainly small-stream fishing, I am itching to try these tactics out. I will hopefully be able to get a fly to way more spots on the brush-lined rivers I am usually fishing.
Combining the bow and arrow with the roll cast is ingenious. He also shows how to gather extra line in your hand to make the standard bow and arrow cast longer. Just watch... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv45vyAC3f0
Combining the bow and arrow with the roll cast is ingenious. He also shows how to gather extra line in your hand to make the standard bow and arrow cast longer. Just watch... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv45vyAC3f0
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" - Bob Lawless
Adirman on Jul 20, 2016July 20th, 2016, 7:28 am EDT
Great post! I use frequently use the "bow and arrow" when im fishing up in the Adirondacks, sometimes, its the only option yu have. Im gonna try getting more distance by holding the line further up like he did but, in order for it to be effective, looks like you REALLY gotta bend that rod back!
PaulRoberts on Jul 20, 2016July 20th, 2016, 11:25 am EDT
I do a lot of B&A casting, and using Joe's/George's extended distance techniques. And, yeah, you've got to get the rod loaded deeply. Soft rods won't do the trick. Need some power all the way out into the tip. Also gotta watch smacking the tip on wood and rocks. Ouch!
Troutnut on Jul 20, 2016July 20th, 2016, 12:04 pm EDT
Really cool trick to combine it with a roll cast. I'll have to give that a try on the small stream where I study dwarf dollies. Lots of bow-and-arrow cast opportunities there.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
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