Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Troutnut.com User Reify (Dave Reifsnyder)
Troutnut.com User Reify (Dave Reifsnyder)
Real Name
Dave Reifsnyder
Location
Easton, Pennsylvania
Biography & Thoughts
I am a long-time fly-fisherman on local streams - Little Buskill, McMicheal, Martins, Brodhead, Lehigh, Big Bushkill, Pohopoco, Tobyhanna, upper Delaware. Not a trout bum, however, but would be given a second chance. Wrote "All Fishermen Are Liars...Believe It!" (stories and rantings from one of fishing's lesser-knowns); published it in 2006 and it's getting out there slowly but surely; reviewed by "The Fly-fishing Professor" (Johnny McJunkins at Texarkana College); I'm a retired Pharmaceutical Microbiologist and am hoping to spend more time fly-fishing and learning - always learning. Will be reading and writing more as time allows. I am looking forward to interacting with your forum members - my early readings of a few of the posts show some interesting ideas, philosophies and very decent writing style - nice!
I am, of course an avid catch and release person and would love to stop most stocking, change the kill limits to three trout per day for April and May only, after that two per day over 14 inches - and give back the fly-fishing only stretch on the Little Bushkill - it's being poached into oblivion.
I am, of course an avid catch and release person and would love to stop most stocking, change the kill limits to three trout per day for April and May only, after that two per day over 14 inches - and give back the fly-fishing only stretch on the Little Bushkill - it's being poached into oblivion.