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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 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.
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.

Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Aug 19, 2006August 19th, 2006, 8:49 am EDT
Well, this is about right. I've held off on fishing more than about once a month this year while I worked all the time on getting this site up, looking forward to being done so I could get out and relax on the water. There were a few weeks of beautiful weather during the last stretch of work and early promotion, and now that I'm finally breathing a little easier and feel "free" to go fish...

RAIN! And rising, turbid trout streams with it. Drat.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
DeRidder
Corinth TX

Posts: 3
DeRidder on Aug 21, 2006August 21st, 2006, 9:42 am EDT
Pleeze send some down here to the Dallas area, I feel for you man , either feast or famine
Don
Pramster
Northern California

Posts: 3
Pramster on Aug 21, 2006August 21st, 2006, 4:08 pm EDT
Hey new to this board, is there a fly shop in Ithaca and do they rent rods and would they recommend a patch of water? Been in Aurora for a few days.
See you on the water!
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Aug 21, 2006August 21st, 2006, 4:57 pm EDT
You might try eFlyTyer, the website of a fly shop in Dryden, which is sort of a "suburb" of Ithaca. I met the guy on Fall Creek one time and he seems to take his shop pretty seriously.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Pramster
Northern California

Posts: 3
Pramster on Aug 22, 2006August 22nd, 2006, 12:52 am EDT
Thanks Jason. I'll look them up. H
See you on the water!

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