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.

Stream photos

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Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph Ephemerella mucronata Mayfly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.

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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.

Wading Staff suggestions?

NMiAngler
MI

Posts: 1

NMiAngler on Mar 2, 2020March 2nd, 2020, 10:16 am EST

I have never used a wading staff but am getting up in my years (just turned 60 this past fall) and I think that one might not be a bad idea. I've never used one and am not sure what to purchase. I've looked online and there are way too many options and they all seem to have positive reviews. Prices range from low to high but I was wondering if anyone could suggest what has been a good purchase for them...

Bamboo, graphite, whatever...

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 2, 2020March 2nd, 2020, 11:28 am EST

Big name wading staffs from Orvis, Sims, etc are very pricey and won't do a better job of assisting your ingress to the river and your negotiating a boulder strewn river. I think I spent no more than $25 for mine on Ebay. It is of four section construction connected with about 1.5" ferrule engagement and all held together with an internal bungee cord.

They are so cheap you could buy two and still save $75. The handle is that foam material you often see on low end spinning rods. They is a scabbard and stretch leash that clips to the scabbard. This is the staff I have. It costs $27.00.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wading-Staff-with-Lanyard-54-Collapsible-Walking-Stick-Wading-Staff-ship-fast/323962897740?hash=item4b6db1854c:g:ucAAAOSwabhUYd1y

This is the same staff but free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/54-Folding-Aluminum-Fly-Fishing-Wading-Staff-w-Lanyard-and-Case/232460845678?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SIMRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3Da473968e9b5446a98dd79a40acb7cec6%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D11%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D323962897740%26itm%3D232460845678%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplRVIAMLv5WebWithPLRVIOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m198

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Mar 7, 2020March 7th, 2020, 11:26 pm EST

If I could do it over I wouldn't get a collapsible one.
I find that mine works fine w a rocky/gravelly bottom but if I get it stuck in muck it comes apart as it is stretched while trying to pull it out - then it's even harder to work free.

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 8, 2020March 8th, 2020, 1:03 am EST

Yes, I agree if you are wading a soft bottom the staff will plunge deep into the muck and it is difficult to get out. However I would never want to give up the option of the multiple sections in favor of a solid shaft. How do you get it on a plane?

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Mar 14, 2020March 14th, 2020, 8:43 pm EDT

LOL - good point :-)

Gene_PA

Lebanon, PA

Posts: 6

Gene_PA on Mar 15, 2020March 15th, 2020, 7:05 am EDT

My problem is being only 5â€™-3â€ tall a 54" Wading Staff would come up to about my shoulder. I need to find one that is adjustable and collapsible, that doesnâ€™t cost an arm and a leg.

Afishinado
SE PA

Posts: 75

Afishinado on Mar 16, 2020March 16th, 2020, 2:14 am EDT

I'm also "vertically challenged!"......:-)

I've been using this Orvis wading staff (linked below) for quite a few years now.

It is adjustable for length from 47" - 55".

No coming apart in mud since the segments lock into place when deployed.

It folds up into a provided neoprene sheath and stays out of the way while hanging from your wading belt.

It is attached to a heavy-weight zinger which keeps it by your side in the water when using it.

It's made by Black Diamond for Orvis which manufactures quality ski poles and walking sticks for the outdoor use.

I give this item an A+ rating after using it for years.

Hope this helps (us short people have to stick together :-)

https://www.orvis.com/p/black-diamond-z-pole-wading-staff/4P4R?item_code=4P4R0000&adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-FlyFishing-_-4P4R-_-127748&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx7zzBRCcARIsABPRscOWzDA1yMhbv02r0jWeax2VtfkQFUnKT-Uh3Ko3YYB-l8rwN_cA_tgaAnrdEALw_wcB

Gene_PA

Lebanon, PA

Posts: 6

Gene_PA on Mar 16, 2020March 16th, 2020, 7:49 am EDT

Thank you I just ordered a Black Diamond from REI as they were on sale.

Brian314
Fenton, MI.

Posts: 28

Brian314 on Apr 16, 2020April 16th, 2020, 12:23 am EDT

Oh that's MUCH nicer than the one I have :-)

Derek
Boone NC

Posts: 1

Derek on Apr 18, 2020April 18th, 2020, 3:00 am EDT

I use a netstaff. It is very sturdy with a large net and good extension with a fold out hook for lowering branches when that fly line just gets away from you and those nymphs become wedged under the rocks. I have saved numerous flies and waded very swift water with success with this staff. Hope this is helpful.

light line & big trout

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Apr 20, 2020April 20th, 2020, 11:42 am EDT

The Netstaff is very nice but quite expensive at $150.00. My wading staff is collapsible, has a lanyard, and a neoprene sheath and cost $24.00. My net for steelhead is a Frabill and cost $25.00.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Hunter1

Maryland

Posts: 27

Hunter1 on Apr 22, 2020April 22nd, 2020, 12:44 am EDT

I use a Foldstaff, so far so good.

Rbdjr
New Jersey

Posts: 1

Rbdjr on Jun 3, 2020June 3rd, 2020, 1:44 pm EDT

on a budget, I have one of these works well believe it or not, wish was a hair longer, mine is about 9 years old, helps getting fly's unhooked under water and in trees also, they use to sell on Ebay but now on this site.

http://captainbobsfishingtackle.com/product/rugged-tackle-wading-staff/