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.

Stream photos

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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

6 Recently Added Photos

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.

Some Photos for Fred

This topic is about the Arthropod Order Isopoda

Sowbugs are not quite as prolific or as important as scuds (Amphipoda), but in certain waters they are more common and serve the same role.

They should not be imitated with the same patterns because they are much more wide and tend to sprawl their legs to the side instead of tucking them neatly under the body. They crawl around instead of swimming, so they are probably best imitated with a dead-drift.

They produce new broods once every two months, allowing them to populate a stream very quickly if enough food is there to support them.

This order also includes popular terrestrial species commonly known as pillbugs or rolly polies. They aren't known to be relevant to fly fishermen.

Example specimens

3
Caecidotea (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult

Dorsal view of a Caecidotea (Asellidae) (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult from unknown in Wisconsin

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Male Caecidotea (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult

Dorsal view of a Male Caecidotea (Asellidae) (Cress Bug) Arthropod Adult from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jan 26, 2011January 26th, 2011, 6:06 am EST

Do these look like the bug you ask about in your post?

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

FredH

Lake Charles , Louisiana

Posts: 108

FredH on Jan 26, 2011January 26th, 2011, 6:13 am EST

I believe that's the bug. Thanks Martin . Do you know how these guys move in the water and what the standard patterns are?

http://www.realisticflytying.net

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Jan 27, 2011January 27th, 2011, 7:15 am EST

There was a recent article in one of the fly fishing magazines about these critters and their imitations. I don't remember which one so I will go look through my stacks tonight and see if I can find it for you.

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Jan 28, 2011January 28th, 2011, 1:21 am EST

Found the article - American Angler, January/February 2011, pp. 56-57, entitled "Cressbugs" in the Natural Reflections section of the magazine. It includes an imitation pattern for them too.

I hope this helps!

Jonathon

P.S. Go to www.americanangler.com to find it online.

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

FredH

Lake Charles , Louisiana

Posts: 108

FredH on Jan 28, 2011January 28th, 2011, 2:53 am EST

Thanks Jonathon . I'll let you know what i come up with.
Fred

http://www.realisticflytying.net