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 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.
- 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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Al514 on Jul 8, 2008July 8th, 2008, 4:33 pm EDT
The Zebra caddis are in full swing right now where I live and I was just wondering what are some of the favorite patterns to fish this hatch? I have been using a BIG caddis thats cream colored thats tied on a size 10 streamer hook that does well as the hatch is just starting, then as the fish get more selective, various CDC emerger patterns work well that are smaller in size (size 12). Just curious to see what everyone else fishes!
Al514 on Jul 12, 2008July 12th, 2008, 2:59 pm EDT
I suppose these guys (the zebra caddis) have had enough. I went to the river today expecting good numbers of bugs and fish, and saw only a few of both. This hatch was one of the greatest I have ever fished! Here are some of the tanks from the past 2 weeks! Enjoy.
LittleJ on Jul 12, 2008July 12th, 2008, 5:32 pm EDT
all on a dry fly?.......do you have a spare bedroom!
Shawnny3 on Jul 14, 2008July 14th, 2008, 2:14 am EDT
Wow! Amazing fish! That's not the Central NY stream fishing I remember.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
Lastchance on Aug 4, 2008August 4th, 2008, 1:21 pm EDT
Al514: What is a Zebra Caddis? I'm not familiar with the bug. Also, what stream were you fishing?
Taxon on Aug 4, 2008August 4th, 2008, 5:54 pm EDT
Martinlf on Aug 5, 2008August 5th, 2008, 9:57 am EDT
Gorgeous fish. Congratulations on the fine fishing.
Roger, thanks for the visual id.
Roger, thanks for the visual id.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Sandfly on Jan 5, 2009January 5th, 2009, 11:57 pm EST
What river were you on, I love fishing the Zebra hatch on the lower Delaware, Have had stripers and smallies rise to a dry there. largest was a 6lb. striper...Now I'm to far away to fish it, would like to fish the hatch again..
sandfly
shop owner
N.J.B.B.A. #2215
Tiadaughton T.U. 688
I didn't Escape------They gave me a day pass !
shop owner
N.J.B.B.A. #2215
Tiadaughton T.U. 688
I didn't Escape------They gave me a day pass !
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