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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.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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.
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Landscape & scenery photos from Nome Creek

The dorsal fin of a grayling is one of the prettiest sights in Alaska.
A very nice grayling for this small stream.
Beautiful grayling brought to hand.
The first fish on a fly of 2011 for either of us, and she caught it while I was still rigging up my rod.
Lena landing a feisty grayling.
Playing around a bit with backlighting and demonstrating how not to hold a fish.
View of lower Nome Creek at the canoe launch for floating Beaver Creek (the next take-out is at the Yukon River bridge a couple weeks downstream).

From Nome Creek in Alaska
Nome Creek in Alaska
Inspecting the net with my intrepid sidekick.

From Nome Creek in Alaska
This is the first time I've kicknetted bugs since we got Taiga, and she turns out to be so very helpful.

From Nome Creek in Alaska
Nome Creek in Alaska
Nome Creek in Alaska

Underwater photos from Nome Creek

Nome Creek in Alaska

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Nome Creek in Alaska

References

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