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.

The North Fork Couer d'Alene River in Idaho

Stream photos

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Female Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Adult Female Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Adult from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

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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.

trying to figure out

This topic is about the Insect Family Corydalidae

Hellgrammites are the vicious larvae of the Dobsonflies, some of the only trout stream insects which pose a biting threat to the angler. The pincers of the adult are even more frightening that the larva's, and they're aggressive enough to use them once in a while.

This family's life cycle does not create good dry fly opportunities, but the larvae may be eaten by trout year-round. They are a secret told only by stomach samples of well-fed trout.

Example specimens

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Female Chauliodes rastricornis (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Adult

Lateral view of a Female Chauliodes rastricornis (Corydalidae) (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Adult from Devil's Creek in Wisconsin

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Nigronia serricornis (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva

A fishfly larva. This fishfly (genus Nigonia) is closely related in appearance to Hellgrammites

Artistic view of a Nigronia serricornis (Corydalidae) (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva from Salmon Creek in New York

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Nigronia serricornis (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva

Dorsal view of a Nigronia serricornis (Corydalidae) (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Larva from unknown in Wisconsin

Buggy
Posts: 1

Buggy on Apr 19, 2009April 19th, 2009, 4:09 am EDT

I am from ontario canada and i pick hellgrammites for a local bait shop owner i was just wondering when is the earliest i could start picking...last year i started in june but i hear you can start sooner when is the earliest i can do this??? thanks for your help

serious picker

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Apr 19, 2009April 19th, 2009, 7:30 am EDT

Buggy,

I don't know what Ontario regulations say about "picking" these larvae. However, provided that there is no prohibition against it, hellgrammites can be found year-round. The larvae spend as much as three years in the aquatic stage, so individuals of various generations (sizes) are available to you (and the fish) at any time.