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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FredH on Nov 4, 2010November 4th, 2010, 1:37 am EDT
I was again invited to a unique (for the gulf coast ) event this weekend. It was started by a group of fly tyers from four surrounding states over twenty years ago. It's Called the Toledo Bend Renevous and is held in a park on beautiful Toledo Bend lake on the Texas , Louisiana border.The rendevous was started by a group of conclave tyers that enjoyed each others company but found that at tying events they rarely had time to sit and share patterns and tips or just visit . So for this weekend there is no agenda , no schedules . Bring your wife and kids and do what suits you when it suits you. Some spend the days fishing and the nights tying . There is always coffee on and someone tying no matter what the hour is. Everyone brings an entree for one meal and it all goes into a comunal kitchen and out comes three fabulous meals a day . In past years the menu has included some of the best tasting cajun dishes and extravagent deserts. (I may gain a few pounds). I can't wait to get together and see what new flies everyone is tying and just visit and relax.
I was wondering is this a common type of event across the country or is it unique to this area?
I was wondering is this a common type of event across the country or is it unique to this area?
Shawnny3 on Nov 4, 2010November 4th, 2010, 7:57 am EDT
That sounds really cool, Fred. I don't know of anything like that around here with that degree of Southern hospitality, but form time to time tiers do get together to share ideas and patterns, and groups from this site have gotten together to do a bit of fishing, as well.
-Shawn
-Shawn
Jewelry-Quality Artistic Salmon Flies, by Shawn Davis
www.davisflydesigns.com
www.davisflydesigns.com
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