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Lateral view of a Male Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #43 in New York
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.

Lateral view of a Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Landscape & scenery photos from the Beaverkill River

The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
This mighty trout stream was reduced to a trickle during the terrible drought this August.  It ran crystal-clear and even though I could sight-fish to the trout they were beyond my skill to catch.  I did well to briefly hook just one nice fish.

From the Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
Here's the most famous pool in the world. I was shocked that the fishing was so good--I had expected such a legendary place to be overfished. While it certainly sees a lot of pressure, it's still possible to have the whole 300-yard pool to yourself once in a while, and in the fall it doesn't get anywhere close to the combat fishing it sees during the major hatch seasons. It supports a terrific population of the most picky free-rising trout I've ever seen.

From the Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
The Beaverkill River in New York
The Beaverkill River (Upper) in New York
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