In the springtime, the moment when these tiny insects transform from their nymphal form and swim to the surface of the stream is indeed magic to the trout fisherman. As they struggle upwards, to flutter away, they are called emergers. This is the time for "wet flies" to be cast into the stream and lifted in imitation of the real thing. It is what I am thinking of, in the winter season, as I tie my own imitations of them. 
This is the same time when other "emergers" appear on the spring scene. I hunt for them with my camera and companion dog. Here are a few:
The Showy Orchis. A now rare native orchid of hardwood forests here in Minnesota. Thick basal leaves and small spurred flowers. The lip is white. Other petals and sepals are pink or magenta. About 6 inches tall. Photo taken in Forestville State Park 5/12/08.
Another emerger is the skunk cabbage. It is found along stream margins and on hillsides in seepage areas. One of the earliest plants to appear in the spring. Yes, the fruit has a definite smell to it!
Photos Forestville Park/April 2010
Photos Forestville Park/April 2010
Appearing from the forest litter on a ridge high above the Whitewater Valley in Whitewater State Park is an early blooming native Pasque Flower. It is a rare member of the crocus family. 
These and many other spring woodland flowers are considered "ephemerals" meaning they emerge and bloom quickly before the forest canopy shades them from the sunlight.
Emergers. You gotta love them as we step out from our winter blahs as well.
Oh, I enjoyed your photos so much today. I sure hope you are feeling much better.
ReplyDeleteLove these pictures! We still have no spring in sight, as it snowed last night, and there's still a few flakes fluttering down as I write this.
ReplyDeleteOh yes - they are a nice sight after a long, cold, dreary winter.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you are feeling a little better. I hope. Those are some great pics of all the early things popping up. The trout are some of my favorites. I,ve been out fishing a couple of times now. They are on the rise. Check it out if you get a chance...
ReplyDeletehttp://fishing-catchingchronicles-troutmagee.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to next post.
Well that's interesting. Thanks for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteIts the flora that first comes and leaves so quickly that I treasure. I have 4 rainbows and a brown for my lenten fish I caught and ate.
ReplyDeleteYou have such different plants..that Showy Orchis is lovely..and the Pasque Flower..I will have to look harder as soon as the snow is gone:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the emergers. What a great term for them! And nice that you know their names. I learned a few new things today thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the picture of the Showy orchis. I grew one in my wildflower garden when I was 11 years old and living on an old farm in New Hampshire. Carman's "Wildflowers of Tennessee" states it grows here in Davidson County, but alas- I have never seen it here.
ReplyDeleteYou must have spent alot of time on your fishing lures? flies? Not sure what the correct term is. They are little works of art.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with the lady slipper when I visited Minnesota one May. The woodland plants are so unusual and delicate. :)
Hey!! Look at your spring! Could you send a little to Saskatchewan please??? ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling a bit better!
xo Catherine
I also loe the skunk cabbage as it emerges here. It's finally started coming up! Love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteLovely images and it certainly looks like spring has arrived where you are troutbirder. Thanks for the visit to our blog!
ReplyDeleteMy grandson had a spell of making those flies when he lived up in the mountains. I thought it was a good hobby for him. He loves to fish.
ReplyDeleteHi troutbirder! My hubby is now making flies, also. He and a friend are planning a big trip, I think!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it, but it does look like fun.
Your Spring ephemerals include several I've never seen "in person!" You are truly fortunate! :-) Happy Spring!
Always nice to see those signs of spring!!!
ReplyDeleteNice photographs and great flies. Making those things is tedious work.
ReplyDeleteI love spring flowers. But we still have almost a foot of snow in the middle of the yard, so I think it will be awhile yet before I see flowers. Blood root is one of the first here.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are a master fly-tyer! And nice catch on the orchid. Tight lines and all good fishes!
ReplyDeleteNice fly tying, and pretty emerging flowers, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the first signs of spring. I saw some crocuses in town but we still have several inches of snow out back in our yard.
ReplyDeleteI like all of your 'emergers'. The ones from the garden are beautiful, and I imagine that the ones from the stream will soon have you out there looking for your first catch of the season.
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