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 keys pretty easily to Onocosmoecus, and it closely resembles a specimen from Alaska which caddis expert Dave Ruiter recognized as this genus. As with that specimen, the only species in the genus documented in this area is Onocosmoecus unicolor, but Dave suggested for that specimen that there might be multiple not-yet-distinguished species under the unicolor umbrella and it would be best to stick with the genus-level ID. I'm doing the same for this one.
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Troutnut.com User Kilocharlie (Jack)
Troutnut.com User Kilocharlie (Jack)
Real Name
Jack
Location
Left Coast, North America
Biography & Thoughts
Graduated from small fish torture long ago. 9-weight & up, home-machined fly reel w/600 yards of 50 lbs backing, oversize, hardened guides. Wetsuit instead of waders, flotation fishing vest, helmet, snorkel, long handle net, 2 strong wading staffs, 1 BIG thermos of soup for afterwards, and dry clothes and dry suit to hike out in. Oh, yeah, don't forget the fly box, clippers, leader wallet, polarized glasses.
Forum Signature
Sharpen your hook. Check it with a 20X magnifier. Always use a new tippet.