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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Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Columbia River in Washington

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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.

Caddisfly Species Brachycentrus numerosus (Dark Grannoms)

In Caddisflies, Gary LaFontaine attributed the famous spring hatch on the Beaverkill (now known as the "Apple Caddis") to this species. After that publication, entomologists described that major hatch as a new species -- Brachycentrus appalachia.

Brachycentrus numerosus is probably still important in many locations.

Where & when

Time of year : May

In 18 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during April (33%), May (33%), June (17%), March (11%), and July (6%).

In 8 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 750 to 5381 ft, with an average (median) of 4921 ft.

Species Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Hatching behavior

Time of day : Afternoon

Egg-Laying behavior

Time of day: Evening

Special thanks to Lloyd Gonzales, author of the excellent new book Fly-Fishing Pressured Water, for helping to sort out the Brachycentrus species and common names.

Start a Discussion of Brachycentrus numerosus

References

Arbona, Fred Jr. 1989. Mayflies, the Angler, and the Trout. Nick Lyons Books.
Gonzales, Lloyd. 2005. Fly-Fishing Pressured Water. Stackpole Books.
LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.