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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I collected this male Hendrickson dun and a female in the pool on the Beaverkill where the popular Hendrickson pattern was first created. He is descended from mayfly royalty.
Jpsully on Jan 10, 2007January 10th, 2007, 6:59 am EST
Jason:
Looking at the fifth photo from the top (the one with the ruler under the fly), it would appear that if you were to rotate the fly just a bit to the left, it would show that the fly is over one inch (25mm) long. That would make it twice as long as any Hendrickson I have ever seen. The average Hendrickson (to the best of my knowledge) is usually around 10-12mm (or about 1/2 inch), hook size 10-12. The hook size just doesn't seem to fit either. Where am I going wrong when looking at this fly (and hook)?
JP
Looking at the fifth photo from the top (the one with the ruler under the fly), it would appear that if you were to rotate the fly just a bit to the left, it would show that the fly is over one inch (25mm) long. That would make it twice as long as any Hendrickson I have ever seen. The average Hendrickson (to the best of my knowledge) is usually around 10-12mm (or about 1/2 inch), hook size 10-12. The hook size just doesn't seem to fit either. Where am I going wrong when looking at this fly (and hook)?
JP
Martinlf on Jan 10, 2007January 10th, 2007, 7:42 am EST
JP, Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that the ruler Jason is using is metric, that each little increment is one mm. I then see the bug measured at about 9-10 mm in the photo (not counting, of course the tails), and size 12 fits your accurate observations about the typical Hendrickson hook size. Now, when and where will we start seeing this bug come spring? I'm ready now.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Troutnut on Jan 10, 2007January 10th, 2007, 7:54 am EST
Louis is right: it's a metric ruler, and the fly's body is about 11mm long.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
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