Troutnut.com Fly Fishing for Trout Home
User Password
or register.
Scientific name search:

> > Great Speckled Olive or Gray Drake



MItroutbumJune 19th, 2008, 3:41 pm
Posts: 3What can I look for to distinguish between the 2 above mentioned flies?? I was out fishing yesterday evening and captured what I thought was a gray drake spinner, but after searching through some photos it could very easily be a Great Speckled Olive. I actually posted a photo on my fishing blog (not a great shot at all, but maybe you guys could help me out......

http://troutonthefly.blogspot.com/

Thanks
Rich
GONZOJune 19th, 2008, 4:31 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
Rich,

The photo on your website looks like Siphlonurus to me. One fairly easy way to verify this would be to use a hand lens to look at the leading edge of the forewing toward the tip. Siphloplecton will have a jumble of intersecting cross-veins (anastomosis). In addition, Siphloplecton basale is usually an April/May emerger.
WiflyfisherJune 20th, 2008, 4:25 am
Wisconsin

Posts: 663
The photo labeled "Gray Drake Spinner" looks like a March Brown (M. vicarium) spinner to me and the timing would be right too.

It looks like you had a great UP trip!
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
FreepowJune 20th, 2008, 7:40 am
menomonie, WI

Posts: 83
Great blog! I really like the format and the style it has. I too agree that the pic looks like a March Brown to me. I posted this pic...

http://www.troutnut.com/topic/1450#9507

...which was quickly determined to be March Brown and it looks very similar to your mayfly. I've bookmarked your blog...keep up the good stories.
"I fish...because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip..."
GONZOJune 20th, 2008, 9:45 am
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
Rich,

I just realized that I could enlarge the image on your website by clicking on the picture. In the enlarged image, these traits of (some) Siphlonurus become more distinct:

The banding of the eye, which was not obvious in the smaller image, can be seen. (Live specimens usually show this more clearly.)

The "zigzag" pattern of banding on the tergites is more apparent (especially on the last few segments).

The cross-veins along the leading edge of the forewing are pale or nearly transparent. (This is not a consistent trait of all Siphlonurus, but on M. vicarium, they are dark.) Veinlets connecting CuA to the rear margin of the forewing can be seen.

BTW, regarding your original question, I probably should have mentioned that S. basale also shows dark staining toward the wingtips (in the same area where anastomosis would appear) and on the basal third of the hindwings. Jason has a good photo of a basale spinner that shows this staining and anastomosis.
WiflyfisherJune 20th, 2008, 2:35 pm
Wisconsin

Posts: 663
Gonzo, doesn't Siphlonurus spinners have a white band around the base of the eyes? Everyone I have ever collected over the years in NW WI. had the white ring around the base of each eye.
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
GONZOJune 20th, 2008, 3:02 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
Yes, John, that light band is usually quite prominent on the males. However, the band can be seen on the enlargement. I suspect that the band might be less distinct because the spinner appears to be dead, or perhaps it is just the lighting in the photo.

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:
Username:          Email:

Password:    Confirm Password:

I am at least 13 years old and agree to the rules.

Related Discussions

TitleRepliesLast Reply
subnotatus?
In Male Ameletus oregonensis Mayfly Spinner by GONZO
0
Re: Hate to do this again....
In Acroneuria abnormis Stonefly Nymph by PeterO
5Oct 1, 2010
by GONZO
Re: Siphloplecton?
In the Identify This! Board by DayTripper
4May 30, 2013
by Brookyman
Re: 2 tails or 3
In the Mayfly Species Maccaffertium vicarium by Snagy
1Feb 6, 2010
by Taxon
Re: I build landing nets & this is my favorite one of the year
In Gear Talk by TinaLewis
2Dec 27, 2022
by KWB
Re: Perlid identification assistance request
In the Identify This! Board by Tsali
9Jun 17, 2015
by Oldredbarn
Re: Help identifying vintage vise
In Fly Tying by Cbmoffett
3Nov 23, 2015
by Byhaugh
Re: Near French Creek, PA
In the Identify This! Board by Lyrae
5May 13, 2007
by GONZO
Re: What is a "DST" quill?
In Fly Tying by Flags
7Sep 8, 2011
by Allan
Re: No-See-Ums
In the Identify This! Board by Wbranch
12Sep 24, 2015
by Taxon
Most Recent Posts
Re: large free living caddis rhyacophila?
In the Identify This! Board by Kjfeen (Taxon replied)