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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Joerobert on Nov 1, 2018November 1st, 2018, 10:06 am EDT
Our local fly shop told me they are having difficulty getting Hungarian partridge complete skins and that they have not had any come in for the last seven months. I have found a few on line, but they are priced twice as much as what the local fly shop sells them. Is there a shortage of them among fly tying circles? A friend of mine used to say if you're going to play like a man, you've got to pay like a man. I guess I should just go ahead and buy one of the more expensive skins and be done with it. A complete skin will last me a lifetime anyway.
Joe
Joe
Iasgair on Nov 1, 2018November 1st, 2018, 12:47 pm EDT
Thanks for the info Joe. I've not looked at any Partridge skins lately because I've a full skin already. I think my local shop has one or two on the shelf, and it would be worth knowing if their prices doubled as well. I will also be at Cabela's on Sunday, so I can compare prices.
As for a shortage, I have not heard of any, but I'm usually the last to know anything.
As for a shortage, I have not heard of any, but I'm usually the last to know anything.
Joerobert on Nov 3, 2018November 3rd, 2018, 7:09 am EDT
Thanks for the info Joe. I've not looked at any Partridge skins lately because I've a full skin already. I think my local shop has one or two on the shelf, and it would be worth knowing if their prices doubled as well. I will also be at Cabela's on Sunday, so I can compare prices.
As for a shortage, I have not heard of any, but I'm usually the last to know anything.
Thanks for your prompt reply. I would be interested in knowing if the prices are higher at your local shop and at Cabelas. In the mean time, my local fly shop has packets of hun partridge feathers. The packets contain lots of feathers from different parts of the skin, but as you dig through it, you usually can find what you need for what you are currently tying. The only problem with this is that there are a lot of junk feathers in the packet that are totally unusable. On the up side, these packets only cost a couple of bucks each. But, I would still like to have a complete skin. They just seem to be more organized.
Joe
Iasgair on Nov 3, 2018November 3rd, 2018, 1:36 pm EDT
I checked at the local shop, along with Cabelas and many other places online that I use, and everyone is selling them for $39.95. Dettes fly shop is completely sold out of skins and bags of partridge feathers. And since that's the only place I saw that is sold out, I wouldn't get too worried yet.
How much was your local shop selling them for?
How much was your local shop selling them for?
Jmd123 on Nov 3, 2018November 3rd, 2018, 2:16 pm EDT
Hi Joe. Just curious, what patterns are you tying? I've done the simple Partridge & _____ (floss body color of your choice) wets and had luck with those swinging for rainbows. Best body colors are green, yellow, and orange, for me at least. Good luck!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Joerobert on Nov 5, 2018November 5th, 2018, 6:03 am EST
Iasgair, or local shop was selling them for 29.95. I suspect that when they have them again, the price will have gone up.
Jonathon, I have been tying mostly the soft hackle wet flies that you describe. I also use the part hackle on a local fly called the Clinch Witch, which has a dubbed body of seal fur or any other glossy fur you may want to use.
Thanks for all the other info guys.
Joe
Jonathon, I have been tying mostly the soft hackle wet flies that you describe. I also use the part hackle on a local fly called the Clinch Witch, which has a dubbed body of seal fur or any other glossy fur you may want to use.
Thanks for all the other info guys.
Joe
Iasgair on Nov 6, 2018November 6th, 2018, 5:14 am EST
Joe, yep, you're correct on the price hike. The skin I bought awhile back earlier this year was the same as yours, $29.95. Big jump I'd say.
Maybe the farms are just getting low on birds. I don't know, but hopefully if that's the case, we'll just have to wait till they grow up to be harvested. Then maybe the price will drop again.
Maybe the farms are just getting low on birds. I don't know, but hopefully if that's the case, we'll just have to wait till they grow up to be harvested. Then maybe the price will drop again.
RleeP on Nov 7, 2018November 7th, 2018, 1:10 am EST
I've used these folks in Moscow, Idaho from time to time if there was something I felt I really needed and couldn't substitute out. They're more fur than feathers, but usually have a reasonable variety of game and domestic bird skins. Currently, they don't have any Hungarian Partridge in inventory, but they have some Ruffed Grouse skins, etc. While they aren't the best place to find bargains (they're pretty high...) they are worth checking from time to time as various needs arise.
https://www.hideandfur.com/
https://www.hideandfur.com/
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