Each of the last 3 days the blue wings(baetis) have made an appearance in the afternoon. The cool and overcast conditions that they favor have been with us for a while but will probably change today. This mayfly has jet black wings and is the darkest olive I have ever seen. The size is an 18 or 20 with a slim body. The fish went bonkers for them but they would also take a number of light colored caddis and mayfly patterns. The fish were up but the fishing was not easy. The best approach was to find an active fish and pepper it with casts. Long drifts covering lots of water did not work as well as targeting one fish and putting 20 casts through his three foot window. Work your casts just above to just below the area where the fish rose, pick the fly up and cast it again it again. Small(18-20 )p. tails worked well for nymphing.
12 users commented in " Baetis Make a Daily Appearance "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI went to the Rush last night at 570th, and happened on a good BWO hatch and it took 5 different variations to find the right one they liked, happened to be a biot body parachute BWO.
Saw that black looking olive,it was floating on the water for a long time drying it’s wings haven’t seen that one before
Got any pictures of this mysterious BWO?
No! maybe today? size 20-22. I have mutilated them every time I try to catch them. Overcast/rain makes it hard for photos and on my non-waterproof camera.
They (the black winged mayflies) were all over in the afternoon yesterday. An older gentleman said they were Mahogany Duns – is that possible? They match the troutnut description pretty well.
For those who left to get out of the rain last night, you really missed out. 8-9 pm was solid trout heads in one of the largest olive hatches I’ve seen. What a ball!
I tried looking these new black winged BWO’s up on the net and could find nothing. Would be interesting to see one….I feel a new fly is in the making. 🙂
Andy, you should know that waterproof cameras aren’t necessary. It’s much more fun to determine just how much water your “non-waterproof” camera can take!
However, I’m not responsible for any electronic malfunctions you may have.
E. Deficiens they have been around for at least a decade and come every year in late May-early June and prefer cloudy cool days. Darth Vader is the name we use amongst other anglers.
I use a version of the Little Green Man for these dark winged flies. On size 18-20 hooks tie a simple dark olive thread body and black select CDC wings. Add a turn of grizzly hackle using the CDC as a post if you want to imitate the legs.
Perfect! I knew you would have one I did not try. Today black midge cripple, trico spinner, Brooks sprout Baetis and something else worked, but only one fish each. Little smarty pants trout have a mind of their own.
Thanks Sarah
Thanks jaybird, no one has a good picture of the duns or adults. Troutnut has good pictures of the nymphs.
Interesting….thanks all for the info.
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