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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva Grammotaulius betteni (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva

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.

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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.

Mayfly Dun on Website

Doyle
East Wenatchee, Washington

Posts: 2

Doyle on Jun 28, 2011June 28th, 2011, 6:08 am EDT

Can anyone tell me the subspecie of the first (top) Mayfly Dun on the webpage "Mayfly Dun to Spinner Illustrated"? I'm kinda new at this, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Doyle

Oldredbarn

Novi, MI

Posts: 2600

Oldredbarn on Jun 28, 2011June 28th, 2011, 6:52 am EDT

Jason states there that its the Leptophlebia cupida..."Black Quill" or "Borchers Dun"...etc.

"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively

"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood

Doyle
East Wenatchee, Washington

Posts: 2

Doyle on Jun 29, 2011June 29th, 2011, 7:22 am EDT

Thanks oldredbarn. I guess I should read a little closer from now on.

Thanks.

Oldredbarn

Novi, MI

Posts: 2600

Oldredbarn on Jun 29, 2011June 29th, 2011, 9:27 am EDT

That's ok! If you look at the few photos showing today at the top of the "Most Recent Posts" the same fly is resting there next to the seam of my waders, which unfortunately the auto focus liked better than the fly, and we had another recent post where someone was asking about a fly that was also L cupida...When they are around the fish enjoy them because they are a nice sized mouthful. If you have a Borchers Parachute say size 10 or 12 you are in the ballpark and should have some fun.

Spence