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

> > Male or female?



Post Reply
Shawnny3April 8th, 2009, 2:45 pm
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197		I feel a little silly asking this, because I feel like it's something I'm just expected as a fisherman to know, but I don't, so...

1) Are there easy ways to differentiate male and female trout?

2) Are there easy ways to differentiate male and female insects?

Photos would be appreciated (or references to photos on Troutnut).

Thanks in advance for the education that's sure to follow,
Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
GONZOApril 8th, 2009, 3:27 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		Shawn,

1) Gender is difficult to determine from appearance in young trout, but mature male specimens often retain some degree of kype. This gradually diminishes after the spawn, but some aspects of it are typically seen in a generally longer head/jaw. Spawning colors would also distinguish the sexes at/around spawning time. In addition, brown trout have a sexually dimorphic shape to the anal fin. The border of this fin curves slightly inward (concave) on females and curves outward (convex) on males.

2) The females of most mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies are larger (on average) than the males. Most (but not all) male mayflies have larger eyes than females. Male mayfly spinners also have longer forelegs and visible claspers at the end of their abdomens. The developing claspers can also be seen in many duns. Of course, you could always resort to looking at their "naughty bits" under a microscope.
WbranchApril 8th, 2009, 6:28 pm
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2733		"Are there easy ways to differentiate male and female trout?"

Yes, male trout are always grabbing, or scratching, their anal fin and female trout usually have headaches and therefore don't rise as often as the males do.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
MartinlfApril 8th, 2009, 9:02 pm
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3233		Two wonderful answers that are pretty representative of the levels of seriousness evident throughout this forum. Both contain the kind of responses that keep me reading posts here rather than elsewhere.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Shawnny3April 9th, 2009, 5:49 am
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197		Yes, thanks to both you gentlemen.

-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
PatcrisciApril 9th, 2009, 9:41 am
Lagrangeville, NY

Posts: 119		I agree... there is a really good mix of posters in the forum that helps to keep the flow interesting, fun and educational.

Now I'm wondering...hmm...is there any data to suggest that male trout are more easily duped than females (or vice-versa) by anglers?
Pat Crisci
GONZOApril 9th, 2009, 10:00 am
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
...is there any data to suggest that male trout are more easily duped than females (or vice-versa) by anglers?


This is strictly anecdotal, Pat, but I would say that we are generally more successful at duping male trout than we are at duping women. (Or did I misunderstand your question?)
PatcrisciApril 9th, 2009, 10:37 am
Lagrangeville, NY

Posts: 119		Agreed, Gonzo. The question is, though, which are easier to catch, female or male trout? This could be the basic premise of a very funny tongue-in-cheek fishing essay, ala Sparse Grey Hackle, who is one of my all-time faves.
Pat Crisci
GONZOApril 9th, 2009, 10:49 am
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681		I think you should write that essay before Matt beats you to it, Pat. He's already got a head start, and his witty observation about the differences between male and female trout might be right on target. Perhaps gender differences are more universal than we know! ;)

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
Re: Now that's aBWO!!
In Female Ephemerella excrucians Mayfly Spinner by Adirman		2Sep 10, 2010
by Taxon
Re: Paraleptophlebia mollis spinner
In General Discussion by Martinlf		4Jun 30, 2020
by Martinlf
Re: Need help with id of a mayfly
In the Identify This! Board by Deane		3Jun 30, 2010
by GONZO
Re: Hexagenia limbata vs rigida
In the Identify This! Board by Aafloyd		4Nov 2, 2011
by Jmd123
Re: How about this one?
In the Identify This! Board by Crepuscular		18Mar 23, 2014
by Entoman
Re: White Mayfly ---- Euphron leukon?
In the Identify This! Board by JumpNotZero		1Sep 9, 2008
by GONZO
Re: Mayfly from spring creek
In the Identify This! Board by Al514		11May 18, 2007
by Troutnut
Maccaffertium
In Female Maccaffertium modestum Mayfly Spinner by GONZO		0
Re: Why mayflies dance
In General Discussion by Troutnut		5Dec 5, 2007
by Martinlf
Re: Stonefly identification
In the Identify This! Board by Uppersac		20Jul 22, 2015
by Millcreek