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Hi guys, I was hoping some of you could share some knowledge with me. I live in Ontario Canada and I have had many a night over the years where caddis flies are everywhere but my fussy browns seem to key in on something else. It took me a while to figure things out but often we get a significant hatch of small pale yellow crane flies in size 16-20 at the same time and the fish really do focus on them. The research I have done has indicated they are likely the species Dolichopeza tridenticula. Now I can usually take one or two fish on a drowned soft hackle but i have seen far too many significant fish refuse my offering. At this point I will usually avoid the dry fly opportunities and turn to a nymph just to keep my sanity. Can anyone recommend patterns for this long legged and difficult to imitate bug? Photo of cranefly I have also spoken with a number of guides who swear by a size 16 larva imitation drifted under an indicator. I have caught fish using these patterns but I am not convinced the fish are taking it for a cranefly larva as i thought this species grub like larva is purely terrerstrial? Do any of the amateur entomologists have any thoughts? I really appreciate any thoughts on this.

I want to identify mayfly in my area. Having problems to ID and that affects my confidence during the already technical fall baetis hatch at local spring creeks. I'm sure attached are within "Baetidae". But as you can see, these are not typical "dark olive", which we usually fish for at this time of year. What we typically call BWO around here are, regardless of technical latin or classification, dark-olive and sizes 20 & 22. But these are gray, light gray, or even light olive body. One even has somewhat reddish/pinkish abdomen! And majority of these are size 24. Another problem is that I can't find aquatic entomologists around here (quite a shame as our area is one of top fly-fishing destinations in Montana, if not entire US.....). What should I do? I know Troutnut and Westfly websites. Is there anybody I can send my pics and viral samples?