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Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Dorsal view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This specimen appears to be of the same species as this one collected in the same spot two months earlier. The identification of both is tentative. This one suffered some physical damage before being photographed, too, so the colors aren't totally natural. I was mostly photographing it to test out some new camera setting idea, which worked really well for a couple of closeups.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Caddisfly Genus Mystacides (Black Dancers)

Where & when

Time of year : Summer

This genus is represented across the continent, but the Western species Mystacides alafimbriata is probably the most prominent.

In 111 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have mostly been collected during June (27%), August (25%), July (24%), May (14%), and September (7%).

In 35 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 3 to 3873 ft, with an average (median) of 1181 ft.

Genus Range

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Morning

Black Dancers emerge by crawling out onto rocks or other protruding objects, so emergence is not terribly important.

Egg-Laying behavior

Time of day: Dusk

The females dive to lay their eggs on the bottom.

Larva & pupa biology

Shelter type: Long, thin cases made of various debris. The case may be three times as long as the actual insect.

Specimens of the Caddisfly Genus Mystacides

3 Adults
2 Male Adults

Discussions of Mystacides

Does anyone have success fishing this hatch?
9 replies
Posted by Troutnut on Sep 24, 2006
Last reply on Jan 14, 2011 by PaulRoberts
I've been extremely frustrated several times by trout feeding on Black Dancers, especially on the Brule in Wisconsin. The flies gather in little swarms beneath overhanging alders along the bank, usually within a foot or two of the surface, and "dance" around. A trout or two, usually small, will appear below them and rise steadily.

This is one of the most reliable insect activities on that river in the summer. It's quite unlike any other hatch, since it never affects most of the stream. Instead, there are just little pockets of activity here and there along the bank. It would be interesting to see if some of the trout are Mystacides "specialists" who are conditioned to cruise the banks looking for this food source.

At any rate, I've never had much luck catching these trout. I've tried most often on the Brule but I've run across similar situations on Finger Lakes and Catskill rivers in New York, too. Has anyone cracked the code?

Start a Discussion of Mystacides

References

Caddisfly Genus Mystacides (Black Dancers)

Genus Range
Common Name
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