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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Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.

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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.

Fly-Fishing Literature

Grannom
Northwest PA

Posts: 87

Grannom on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 7:39 am EDT

I am looking for some reading. What does everyone here like? Also, I am not asking about informational books... Preferably, something with some meaning, which requires some analysis.

Mike

"Be calm - you're there..." "...Tell yourself there's no rush, even if there is."

-John Gierach

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 8:00 am EDT

Ernest Schwiebert

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 8:54 am EDT

How about the Holy Bible? I suspect that would satisfy your criteria.

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 10:06 am EDT

Nah... best to stick to Schwiebert.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Grannom
Northwest PA

Posts: 87

Grannom on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 10:24 am EDT

I didn't realize that my "criteria" was so very specific.

"Be calm - you're there..." "...Tell yourself there's no rush, even if there is."

-John Gierach

Flybyknight
Milton, DE

Posts: 82

Flybyknight on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 10:34 am EDT

Oh you found my button and pushed!
No other sport is so replete with esoteric literature as fly fishing!
In humility I could refer you to 108 authors who have made documented and proven positive contributions to our sport and still exclude the horde of B.S. artists.
But here is a sampling to get you going.
I'll break it down thusly:

CLASSIC
"Country Contentments" Gervase Markam 1631

VINTAGE

"Troutfishing from All Angles" Eric Travener, 1929

MODERN

"A Modern Dry Fly Code" Vincent Marinaro, 1950
"Matching the Hatch" Ernest Schwiebert, 1955

My recommendation for starters"

"Trout" Ray Bergman, 1952
"The Practical Fly Fisherman" A. J. McClane, 1953

SERIOUS LITERATURE

Fly Fishing, Some New Arts & Mysteries" J.C. Mottram
London, The Field Press, 1915

SERIOUS HOW TO

"Selective Trout" Doug Swisher and Carl Richards,
Crown Publishers, 1971

Please let us know of your progress.

Dick

Lightly on the dimpling eddy fling;
the hypocritic fly's unruffled wing.
Thomas Scott

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 1:20 pm EDT

"How about the Holy Bible? I suspect that would satisfy your criteria."

Amen Taxon

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Mar 13, 2008March 13th, 2008, 4:32 pm EDT

What Matt and Taxon said, and anything by Nick Lyons.

"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 Mar 14, 2008March 14th, 2008, 4:21 am EDT

Personal favorite: The River Why, by David James Duncan.

THE classic: The Compleat Angler, by Isaak Walton.

-Shawn

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

LittleJ
Hollidaysburg Pa

Posts: 251

LittleJ on Mar 14, 2008March 14th, 2008, 6:35 am EDT

anything written by John Gierach. It's not informative, nor is there really any deep meaning, but they are very entertaining.
jeff

edit- i should have read your signature, i assume you've already read his books.

Softhackle

Wellsville, NY

Posts: 540

Softhackle on Mar 14, 2008March 14th, 2008, 6:40 am EDT

I'd like to suggest TROUT HUNTING by Bob Wyatt. There's a lot within the pages. It's entertaining, informative, thought provoking, gives some great fly dressings and has some great photos of flies taken by Hans Weilenmann. Of the most recent books I've read on the subject of fly fishing, I've enjoyed this book the most. It has a little of everything.

For shear enjoyment and entertainment:

TROUT MADNESS & TROUT MAGIC By Robert Travers

FISHLESS DAYS, ANGLING NIGHTS by Sparse Gray Hackle

Happy reading,
Mark

"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt

Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html