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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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
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.
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.

CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Jan 16, 2008January 16th, 2008, 9:24 am EST
John, you can fish those wets just like any other unweighted nymph, too. hey, this is turning in to a real potlatch! really, the nicest people are found on Troutnut. guess we're all "a little bit crazy"!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251
LittleJ on Jan 16, 2008January 16th, 2008, 9:56 am EST
louis,
in the crazy days of my youth, before 2 young kids, (aprox. 11 days ago), i would have called those three comparaduns and raised you four crazy charlies. But now that i'm older and wiser i realize i just got to see the flop and hope for the best or I won't get my own boxes filled.
jeff
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 17, 2008January 17th, 2008, 12:00 am EST
Hey, Jeff, you're doing the heavy lifting sorting all this out for us. So you're ahead of the game, not in the middle, much less behind. Is that new arrival sleeping through the night yet?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Jan 17, 2008January 17th, 2008, 10:03 am EST
flies in the mail this am. if the snow doesn't slow them down, look for them Sat or Mon. look for me on the ski slope!! thanks for setting this swap up--i have been dying to ask Louis for one of his flies ever since he posted that recipe last year--i can't tie flies or cook without pictures!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Jan 17, 2008January 17th, 2008, 10:04 am EST
flies in the mail this am. if the snow doesn't slow them down, look for them Sat or Mon. look for me on the ski slope!! thanks for setting this swap up--i have been dying to ask Louis for one of his flies ever since he posted that recipe last year--i can't tie flies or cook without pictures!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Jan 17, 2008January 17th, 2008, 10:05 am EST
Is it too late to get in on this? At first I thought I wouldn't have the time, but then I realized I could whip up a bunch of my inchworm ties in no time at all. It sounds like you guys are contributing some really nice, practical flies. But if there aren't enough flies to get any to me, I'd like to send in mine just for you guys to have. Send me your address, Jeff, and I'll mail you a bunch.

-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251
LittleJ on Jan 19, 2008January 19th, 2008, 3:02 am EST
caseyp - flies recieved
JOHNW
JOHNW's profile picture
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
JOHNW on Jan 19, 2008January 19th, 2008, 3:07 am EST
Guys I hope to have everything in the mail on Monday. Unfortunatly a 3 year old with a mild case of Pneumonia slows down one's tying speed dramatically.
Sorry for the tardiness.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Jan 20, 2008January 20th, 2008, 12:33 pm EST
I whipped up a dozen chartreuse curly worms for you guys today - I'll mail them out tomorrow. I know they don't look like much, and they sure don't take long to tie, but they're one of my most effective summer flies and represent one of my best tying innovations - I hope you like them better than those damned green weenies. The best part is you can toss them right up into stream-side bushes without worrying about losing them. Use them aggressively in low water and see if you like them as much as I do.

Also, as I said before, please don't feel obligated to send me anything, Jeff. I'm just happy to donate a few of my flies to some really great guys I've met on this site - it's a pleasure knowing you gentlemen.

Take care, guys,
Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
JOHNW
JOHNW's profile picture
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
JOHNW on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 5:17 am EST
Damn Iforgot today was a federal holiday, which means no postal service. In the mail tomorrow.


As a side note I was thinking of trying to photograph and post the flies from this swap. I just want to make sure that will be okay with all of you.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 6:23 am EST
I would appreciate it if you didn't post photos of mine, John. I really don't like sharing my patterns with people I don't know - I'm kind of a jerk that way.

Thanks,
Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251
LittleJ on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 8:22 am EST
i'm fine with posting photos of mine, i don't think it's an original pattern any way.
jeff
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 9:32 am EST
okay to photo mine--its a standard pattern.

Shawn, did you get space at Somerset? dying to see your stuff in person, so to speak.
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 10:30 am EST
I'm not sure yet. My last resort has still not gotten in touch with me. I'm assuming I did not get space unless I hear otherwise, but I'm preparing a few flies for the trip just in case. If I do get a table, I'll let you know where it is before I go. Either way, I'll come armed with hooks for people to see. The only day I will be there is Saturday. Hope to see you there, Casey.

-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
JOHNW
JOHNW's profile picture
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
JOHNW on Jan 21, 2008January 21st, 2008, 10:57 am EST
Shawnny,
No problem. That is why I asked.

Neither of my ties are anything remotely ground breaking or for that fact even something that atleast 5 or 6, other much more famous tiers, haven't laid claim to. Just my humble iterpretation or adaptations.

JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 22, 2008January 22nd, 2008, 4:05 am EST
JW, It's OK by me. Mine are in the mail.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Shawnny3
Moderator
Pleasant Gap, PA

Posts: 1197
Shawnny3 on Jan 24, 2008January 24th, 2008, 4:35 pm EST
I found out I have no space I can use (yet) at Somerset. I'm still going on Saturday, but I'll be just walking around without a place to show my flies. I'll still be bringing them, in case someone there is gracious enough to give me some space for the day, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'd like to meet up with any of you who are there, but I don't really have a good way to do it (no cell). We'll see how it goes. If you see a guy with a goatee and glasses in a dark corner wearing a trenchcoat lined with gold hooks, that would be me.

-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 26, 2008January 26th, 2008, 3:02 am EST
Hey Jeff, you should have my flies by now. Did they take a detour?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251
LittleJ on Jan 26, 2008January 26th, 2008, 8:15 am EST
they must be held up, I still haven't received yours or johns. I thought they would be here by now.
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jan 26, 2008January 26th, 2008, 3:14 pm EST
Hmm. The postmaster in Hollidaysburg isn't a fly fisherman is he?

Well, let me know if you don't see them in a few more days. I've had packages delayed. John and I mailed ours the same day, so there may be some connection.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

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