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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 Ephemerella mucronata (Ephemerellidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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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This discussion is about Penn's Creek.

Here's the valley of a trout stream after a rainstorm.

From Penn's Creek in Pennsylvania
Panorama of a trout stream valley after a May thunderstorm.

From Penn's Creek in Pennsylvania
An afternoon thunderstorm left mist in all the valleys along this limestone spring creek in Pennsylvania.

From Penn's Creek in Pennsylvania
Penn's Creek in Pennsylvania
Keystoner
Keystoner's profile picture
Eugene, OR - formerly Eastern PA

Posts: 145
Keystoner on Jan 18, 2011January 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm EST
Hey fellas, hoping some of you will be willing to give me some imput here.

Basically, I'm looking to check out the Penns Creek and had some questions. Such as...

I had eyed Poe Paddy as my starting point, and was planning a winter expedition as I figure this will equal open water. However, the campground is not open, so I'm wondering what the deal is with winter camping? Could I get away with hiking in and out and just kinda camping wherever (environmentally responsible, of course)?

Second I have read that the insect sizes are bigger on Penns than elsewhere in PA. Does this apply to nymphs as well? Should I have some 12s and 14s along on this trip, or will the 16s, 18s, and 20s suffice??

Any other imput is always welcome too! Thanks guys.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
JAD
JAD's profile picture
Alexandria Pa

Posts: 362
JAD on Jan 20, 2011January 20th, 2011, 12:57 am EST
I think this would be a good starting point
http://www.pennscreekangler.com/index.htm Their is no better place to start than talking to a man(Good fisherman)about his home waters.
You will like this guy.

Best
John

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,
Keystoner
Keystoner's profile picture
Eugene, OR - formerly Eastern PA

Posts: 145
Keystoner on Jan 20, 2011January 20th, 2011, 1:50 am EST
That's great, the guy's last name is even "Fisher." Cruised the site for a while, and will definately be giving Bruce a call. Thanks for the lead John!
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB
Tuna
Tuna's profile picture
Altoona, PA

Posts: 16
Tuna on Jan 21, 2011January 21st, 2011, 5:07 am EST
I hate to throw another name in but check out "The Feathered Hook" (thefeatheredhook.com) as well. Jonas, the owner, knows his stuff, big time. Bruce does too, but having 2 people to ask is always better than 1, right? Even through the winter, I use small flies on Penn's Creek. I've had great luck with small, size 18, 20, and 22, BH Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, and Copper Johns. Bring some "junk" flies, too.
Reel men play with their flies.
Keystoner
Keystoner's profile picture
Eugene, OR - formerly Eastern PA

Posts: 145
Keystoner on Jan 22, 2011January 22nd, 2011, 2:51 am EST
Very cool, Tuna. Thank You. It's almost always better to have more than one reference.
"Out into the cool of the evening, strolls the Pretender. He knows that all his hopes and dreams, begin and end there." -JB

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