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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.
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Jim584th
Candia, NH

Posts: 4
Jim584th on Feb 20, 2010February 20th, 2010, 7:35 am EST
While fishing in Bristol, NH on February 18th, we saw four stoneflies walking on the sun side of small trees.
About 1/2 inches long, dark grey to black.Any ideas about patterns?
Jim
jim
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Feb 20, 2010February 20th, 2010, 2:08 pm EST
Try a very simple black body, clear antron or zlon trude style wing, and black hackle.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
CharlieSawd
St. Michael, Minnesota

Posts: 26
CharlieSawd on Feb 20, 2010February 20th, 2010, 5:25 pm EST
This is a pattern I ripped off from a basic stimulator has been a very effective pattern here in the Driftless for little black stones.
/Users/Charlie/Desktop/dscn1400_vnf9-1.jpg

Thread: Black 8/0
Tail: Black goose biot
Body: Black straw, over tapered black dry fly dubbing
Body Hackle: Black
Rib: Fine black wire
Wing: Black CDC under grey antron
Thorax: Tapered black dry fly dubbing
Thorax Hackle: Grizzly
Antennae: Black microfiber
Charlie Sawdey
www.driftlessflybox.com
Jim584th
Candia, NH

Posts: 4
Jim584th on Feb 22, 2010February 22nd, 2010, 8:59 am EST
Thanks Guys,
I appreciate your help.
Jim
jim

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