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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This is the first of it's family I've seen, collected from a tiny, fishless stream in the Cascades. The three species of this genus all live in the Northwest and are predators that primarily eat stonefly nymphs Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019).
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Golden Drakes
This name usually refers to the species Anthopotamus distinctus.
This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.
Mayfly Family Potamanthidae
These are pretty much always called Golden Drakes.
See the genus Anthopotamus for details. It is the only North American genus in this family. Anthopotamus distinctus is its most important species.
Many anglers still know it as Potamanthus, but that name is outdated.
Many anglers still know it as Potamanthus, but that name is outdated.
References
- Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. 2019. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America (Fifth Edition). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.