Header image
Enter a name
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.

Dorsal view of a Zapada cinctipes (Nemouridae) (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.
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.

BGrnFlyfish
Wisconsin

Posts: 37
BGrnFlyfish on Feb 18, 2008February 18th, 2008, 1:04 pm EST
To anyone out there; the Serendipity-kinda of a dumb question but i've been told a dumb question is a question unasked. What does this imitate and what colors do you recommend? Red, Green, Tan?
Seth-Big Green River, WI
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Feb 18, 2008February 18th, 2008, 4:05 pm EST
I haven't used that pattern so I'm not very familiar with it, but based on googling it, it seems to be intended to imitate a caddis pupa, or sometimes a midge pupa. Therefore the colors and size that work best would depend on what's hatching at the time. I would guess olive is a good overall bet.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Feb 19, 2008February 19th, 2008, 3:51 am EST
the one day i used it, it was red, maybe 18 or 20, and worked a treat. it was April on the Little J.
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
BGrnFlyfish
Wisconsin

Posts: 37
BGrnFlyfish on Feb 19, 2008February 19th, 2008, 4:12 am EST
Thanks guys!
Seth-Big Green River, WI
SlateDrake9
Potter County, PA

Posts: 144
SlateDrake9 on Feb 23, 2008February 23rd, 2008, 2:54 pm EST
I've never seen one that wasn't an olive brown color.

I always assumed they were midge pattern, but I guess they could be a small caddis. I've only fished them in 18-22 sizes.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
-- Slate Drake

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
13
Feb 23, 2007
by And
2
Mar 31, 2017
by PABrownie
2
Jan 26, 2015
by Feathers5
8
Aug 4, 2007
by Wbranch
1
Jul 13, 2007
by Taxon
15
Nov 16, 2015
by Wbranch
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy