Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
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.
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.
Stonefly Genus Capnia (Little Snowflies)
This is one of the most common genera of Capniidae.
Genus Range
Specimens of the Stonefly Genus Capnia
1 Adult
Start a Discussion of Capnia
References
- Schwiebert, Ernest G. 1955. Matching the Hatch. MacMillan Publishing Company.
Stonefly Genus Capnia (Little Snowflies)
Taxonomy
Species in Capnia
Capnia gracilariaLittle Snowflies
0
0
Capnia inyoInyo Snowflies
0
0
Capnia nanaDwarf Snowflies
1
2
Capnia umpquaUmpqua Snowflies
0
0
Capnia venturaVentura Snowflies
0
0
33 species (Capnia californica, Capnia cheama, Capnia coloradensis, Capnia confusa, Capnia elongata, Capnia erecta, Capnia excavata, Capnia fialai, Capnia giulianii, Capnia glabra, Capnia hitchcocki, Capnia jewetti, Capnia lacustra, Capnia licina, Capnia lineata, Capnia mariposa, Capnia melia, Capnia nearctica, Capnia ophiona, Capnia oregona, Capnia petila, Capnia promota, Capnia quadrituberosa, Capnia regilla, Capnia saratoga, Capnia scobina, Capnia sextuberculata, Capnia spinulosa, Capnia uintahi, Capnia valhalla, Capnia vernalis, Capnia willametta, and Capnia zukeli) aren't included.