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 specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
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Sowbugs
Sowbugs, like scuds, are crustaceans. They are not generally as prolific and therefore not as important to the trout, but it can be useful to carry an imitation on weedy spring creeks.
This common name refers to only one order. Click its scientific name to learn more.
Arthropod Order Isopoda
These are often called Sowbugs.
Sowbugs are not quite as prolific or as important as scuds (Amphipoda), but in certain waters they are more common and serve the same role.
They should not be imitated with the same patterns because they are much more wide and tend to sprawl their legs to the side instead of tucking them neatly under the body. They crawl around instead of swimming, so they are probably best imitated with a dead-drift.
They produce new broods once every two months, allowing them to populate a stream very quickly if enough food is there to support them.
This order also includes popular terrestrial species commonly known as pillbugs or rolly polies. They aren't known to be relevant to fly fishermen.
They should not be imitated with the same patterns because they are much more wide and tend to sprawl their legs to the side instead of tucking them neatly under the body. They crawl around instead of swimming, so they are probably best imitated with a dead-drift.
They produce new broods once every two months, allowing them to populate a stream very quickly if enough food is there to support them.
This order also includes popular terrestrial species commonly known as pillbugs or rolly polies. They aren't known to be relevant to fly fishermen.
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