Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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.
Flybyknight on Mar 18, 2007March 18th, 2007, 1:18 pm EDT
OK, you arrive on a spectacular tail water fishery where you know there are 20"+ holdovers; fly fishing only, catch and release, barbless hooks, and no stock fish.
It is cold, raw and not a sign of insect activity anywhere. Water temperature is 42° high and clear.
You know that the following insects are present in either riffles, or pools that you may either wade or drift:
Taeniopteryx
Strophopteryx
Epeorus
Apatania
Baetis
(Dip net yields no insects because the river is wide and deep)
What is your game plan?
Streamers?
or
weighted 2X black nymph on the bottom with 3 droppers?
or?
And what flies would you start off with?
(Yes I have a bad case of pattern anxiety)
Dick
It is cold, raw and not a sign of insect activity anywhere. Water temperature is 42° high and clear.
You know that the following insects are present in either riffles, or pools that you may either wade or drift:
Taeniopteryx
Strophopteryx
Epeorus
Apatania
Baetis
(Dip net yields no insects because the river is wide and deep)
What is your game plan?
Streamers?
or
weighted 2X black nymph on the bottom with 3 droppers?
or?
And what flies would you start off with?
(Yes I have a bad case of pattern anxiety)
Dick
Lightly on the dimpling eddy fling;
the hypocritic fly's unruffled wing.
Thomas Scott
the hypocritic fly's unruffled wing.
Thomas Scott
GONZO on Mar 18, 2007March 18th, 2007, 1:27 pm EDT
Hi Dick,
Personally, the closer the water temperature gets to 40 degrees the more my confidence plummets. But then, I'm not much of a winter fisherman. I doubt that many fish would chase a streamer, though one might nail it if you put it on the fish's nose. I'd dredge with nymphs--and pray for warmer weather! :)
Personally, the closer the water temperature gets to 40 degrees the more my confidence plummets. But then, I'm not much of a winter fisherman. I doubt that many fish would chase a streamer, though one might nail it if you put it on the fish's nose. I'd dredge with nymphs--and pray for warmer weather! :)
Martinlf on Mar 18, 2007March 18th, 2007, 1:53 pm EDT
Yes, too cold for streamers--nymphs on the bottom. Fish them slow and deep.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Troutnut on Mar 18, 2007March 18th, 2007, 2:22 pm EDT
I would fish a Taeniopteryx nymph deep, with a smaller but gaudy attracting dropper.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
3
May 27, 2010
by Shawnny3
by Shawnny3
2
Feb 24, 2020
by Leskorcala
by Leskorcala
0
Apr 29, 2015
by Wbranch
by Wbranch
1
Mar 9, 2012
by Wiflyfisher
by Wiflyfisher
26
Apr 22, 2013
by Oldredbarn
by Oldredbarn
