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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Martinlf on Feb 5, 2009February 5th, 2009, 11:56 am EST
Jeff,
I didn't think it was criticism, and I really was just joking with my "hey you experts" jab. I later realized that John D would know that but you might not. He and I tease each other all the time. Sometimes mercilessly. See his jab about my stay warm dance. It makes me tempted to tease him about his secret steelhead fly--but that would be just too mean. Yes, Spring Ck. can be a fickle mistress, but I'm lucky for the lesson and opportunity to think about how to fish under these conditions. I now know what to work on--if I ever get brave enough to go out below 30 degrees again, that is.
I didn't think it was criticism, and I really was just joking with my "hey you experts" jab. I later realized that John D would know that but you might not. He and I tease each other all the time. Sometimes mercilessly. See his jab about my stay warm dance. It makes me tempted to tease him about his secret steelhead fly--but that would be just too mean. Yes, Spring Ck. can be a fickle mistress, but I'm lucky for the lesson and opportunity to think about how to fish under these conditions. I now know what to work on--if I ever get brave enough to go out below 30 degrees again, that is.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
LittleJ on Feb 9, 2009February 9th, 2009, 5:50 am EST
All but Grannoms, and Sirhoops flies are in, I will have all the flies sent out as soon as they arrive. All the flies look great by the way.
thanks
jeff
jeff (Littlej)- extended body cdc caddiS**********DONE
2-Casey (Caseyp)- bloody butchers*****************RECIEVED
3-Louis (Martinlf)-bwo emerger********************RECIEVED
4-Scott (Trtklr)-shimmer nymph********************RECIEVED
5-shawn (Shawnny3)-john silver********************RECIEVED
6-artie (Al514)-curly's***************************RECIEVED
7-mike (grannom)-"grannom's" grannom caddis
8-Jarod (Sirhoops23)- ?
9-John (johnw)-streamer?**************************RECIEVED
10-John (JAD)- Drake******************************RECIEVED
thanks
jeff
jeff (Littlej)- extended body cdc caddiS**********DONE
2-Casey (Caseyp)- bloody butchers*****************RECIEVED
3-Louis (Martinlf)-bwo emerger********************RECIEVED
4-Scott (Trtklr)-shimmer nymph********************RECIEVED
5-shawn (Shawnny3)-john silver********************RECIEVED
6-artie (Al514)-curly's***************************RECIEVED
7-mike (grannom)-"grannom's" grannom caddis
8-Jarod (Sirhoops23)- ?
9-John (johnw)-streamer?**************************RECIEVED
10-John (JAD)- Drake******************************RECIEVED
JAD on Feb 10, 2009February 10th, 2009, 2:12 am EST
(I didn't think it was criticism, and I really was just joking with my "hey you experts" jab.)
Hay Jeff don't believe it He -(Louis )Is always serious.
Thanks for taking the time for the swap---Jeff
JAD
Hay Jeff don't believe it He -(Louis )Is always serious.
Thanks for taking the time for the swap---Jeff
JAD
They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
Martinlf on Feb 10, 2009February 10th, 2009, 9:55 am EST
Oh, so you're a psychoanalyst now, John!
Your areas of expertise just keep expanding don't they?
Next thing I know you'll be into plastics research--designing and molding little pink plastic worms or the like.
:)
Your areas of expertise just keep expanding don't they?
Next thing I know you'll be into plastics research--designing and molding little pink plastic worms or the like.
:)
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
JAD on Feb 10, 2009February 10th, 2009, 12:00 pm EST
As usual I will have to look this up------(Oh, so you're a psychoanalyst now,)I copied that for I would be lost spelling it.:)
JaD
JaD
They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
LittleJ on Feb 16, 2009February 16th, 2009, 8:08 am EST
flys will be in the mail by wed.
Thanks to everyone that participated.
jeff
Thanks to everyone that participated.
jeff
Trtklr on Feb 18, 2009February 18th, 2009, 3:42 am EST
pretty geeked! in "eager anticipation" as i like to say at about 5:00 am in May.
I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunrise on a cold stream.
LittleJ on Feb 19, 2009February 19th, 2009, 2:52 pm EST
ok. folks I appologize for the delay, but as you can see i'm typing this at 10:49 and I just got home from work. I got slammed busy on tue and haven't had a chance to mail them yet. Ive been leaving prior to and returning after the p.o. closes. I'm going to try for fri. I promise I will get them out.
thanks
jeff
thanks
jeff
Martinlf on Feb 20, 2009February 20th, 2009, 7:45 am EST
No problem, Jeff. The wait is what makes Christmas so much fun. Besides, it's cold as hell and blowing 30 MPH so I won't be fishing for a while anyway. We just appreciate your time and trouble organizing this for us.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Shawnny3 on Feb 26, 2009February 26th, 2009, 1:46 pm EST
Got the flies yesterday. Thanks to all who contributed - very nice flies all.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
CaseyP on Feb 26, 2009February 26th, 2009, 2:08 pm EST
flies are here! and just what i needed. thanks everyone, especially to our inspiration and swap host!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Al514 on Feb 26, 2009February 26th, 2009, 2:21 pm EST
Agreed with the comments so far - thanks, Jeff. All the flies are great - can't wait to use em.
LittleJ on Feb 26, 2009February 26th, 2009, 3:09 pm EST
I'm glad everyone enjoyed it, we'll give it another whirl next year when the fishing slows down.
I sent everyone a p.m. that has some left out recipes. Let me know if any one didn't recieve it.
Thanks
Jeff
I sent everyone a p.m. that has some left out recipes. Let me know if any one didn't recieve it.
Thanks
Jeff
Trtklr on Feb 27, 2009February 27th, 2009, 9:26 am EST
still waiting, but i haven't gotten home yet. i'm sure you all probably could figure it out but i thought i'd let everyone know i tie that fly with different color dubbing and with some good results.
I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunrise on a cold stream.
Martinlf on Feb 27, 2009February 27th, 2009, 2:17 pm EST
Cool flies. Thanks to everyone, and especially to Jeff who set everything up! Tight lines, folks!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
JOHNW on Feb 28, 2009February 28th, 2009, 3:16 am EST
Sorry for the slow response but the flies are here and look great.
Who tied the Lightning bug looking fly? Great job on the wire wraps.
And it is nice to see one of the old classics in the Bloody Butcher.
I'll work on getting the pattern for my sculpin up ASAP
JW
Who tied the Lightning bug looking fly? Great job on the wire wraps.
And it is nice to see one of the old classics in the Bloody Butcher.
I'll work on getting the pattern for my sculpin up ASAP
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
JAD on Feb 28, 2009February 28th, 2009, 8:16 am EST
Just got my flies today the 28, we have snail mail. All the flies will kill, as the English would say.
Thanks all
John--JAD
Thanks all
John--JAD
They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
Patcrisci on Feb 28, 2009February 28th, 2009, 8:45 am EST
This is a really cool idea! Count me in next time around!
Pat Crisci
CaseyP on Feb 28, 2009February 28th, 2009, 2:31 pm EST
okay, which of you geniuses tied the great little nymph with the silver bead in the middle? i lost it today, i hope on a trout, but i'm afraid it might have been on the bottome. anyway, i want to tie some more.
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Shawnny3 on Mar 1, 2009March 1st, 2009, 3:31 am EST
That would be mine, Casey. I'll PM you the recipe. PM me your address and I'll send you a few more for reference. My best luck with them is in summer, at which time I rarely go without it.
This might be the fly you're referring to as well, John. If you'd like the recipe, let me know.
-Shawn
This might be the fly you're referring to as well, John. If you'd like the recipe, let me know.
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
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