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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It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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Troutnut.com User Jbaiocchi (Jon Baiocchi)
Troutnut.com User Jbaiocchi (Jon Baiocchi)
Real Name
Jon Baiocchi
Location
Nevada City, Ca
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Biography & Thoughts
Jon Baiocchi has been fly fishing and tying flies since 1972, and is a California licensed fly fishing guide, published author, educator, innovative tier, and an award winning public speaker giving fly fishing presentations to clubs and expos across the state of California, and Nevada. Born in San Jose, Ca in 1965, his Dad moved the entire family to Paradise, Ca in 1967 to be closer to prime fly fishing venues, and to raise his family in the spectacular forests of Northern California. Jon’s Dad, Bob Baiocchi, was inducted into the Federation of Fly Fishers Hall of Fame in 1999, and was a major influence in helping Jon hone his fly fishing skills at a very young age. After finishing high school, Jon opted out of college to pursue a career as a professional snowboarder, competing at a national level, starring in feature movies, and working with manufacturers in their research and development programs. After his career ended in 1993, Jon focused entirely on fly fishing, and learning the intricate details of his home waters.
Jon now owns and operates Baiocchi’s Troutfitters guide service In Northern California where he has been guiding for the last 17 years. He has a reputation as a very hard working guide that’s been trained by some of fly fishing’s best known anglers, both past and present. His enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, and combined with his simple approach to teaching gives students the skills needed to be successful on all types of water. Moved by all things flora and fauna his passion for such is never ending. Sharing the knowledge with others is of the greatest importance to him now, and too see others progress and reach the next level in fly fishing fulfills his life. His locations for guiding include Lake Davis, the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather River, Frenchman’s Reservoir, Eagle Lake, the North Fork Yuba River, The Big & Little Truckee Rivers, The Lower Yuba, and many secluded creeks in Eastern Plumas County. Jon’s philosophy on fly fishing is to keep it simple, be confident in your presentation, and have fun. His favorite game is stalking and sight fishing to large trout in shallow water whether it is a river, or a still water.
Jon now owns and operates Baiocchi’s Troutfitters guide service In Northern California where he has been guiding for the last 17 years. He has a reputation as a very hard working guide that’s been trained by some of fly fishing’s best known anglers, both past and present. His enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, and combined with his simple approach to teaching gives students the skills needed to be successful on all types of water. Moved by all things flora and fauna his passion for such is never ending. Sharing the knowledge with others is of the greatest importance to him now, and too see others progress and reach the next level in fly fishing fulfills his life. His locations for guiding include Lake Davis, the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather River, Frenchman’s Reservoir, Eagle Lake, the North Fork Yuba River, The Big & Little Truckee Rivers, The Lower Yuba, and many secluded creeks in Eastern Plumas County. Jon’s philosophy on fly fishing is to keep it simple, be confident in your presentation, and have fun. His favorite game is stalking and sight fishing to large trout in shallow water whether it is a river, or a still water.
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I fish, I write, and I'm hungry for more! http://jonbaiocchiflyfishingnews.blogspot.com/