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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Minnesota on Feb 12, 2012February 12th, 2012, 8:36 pm EST
If you could only have 5 flies in your box, what would they be. I'm looking for all around trout box. I would like to limit your choices to 2 drys, and 2 wets, and 1 your choice. My choices would be: Adams size 14, Mosquito size 12. Gold Ribbed Hares Ear size 12, Olive Caddis/Black Ostrich Hurl head size 16. and Blue-Winged Olive size 14. Thanks for all the responces.
Jason Moe
Minnesota on Feb 12, 2012February 12th, 2012, 8:41 pm EST
I've caught alot of trout on a small black ant, size 16. Weighted black leech patterns work well too. If its 5 or 6, no big deal. We all would like to hear peoples favorite patterns, and the go to flies. Maybe a fly or two that you would have in your survival kit.
Jason Moe
Entoman on Feb 12, 2012February 12th, 2012, 8:41 pm EST
When do you mostly fish and what type of water?
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Minnesota on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 10:02 am EST
Mostly spring and summer. Small streams.
Jason Moe
Motrout on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 10:34 am EST
Here's my best go at it...
1. Adams/Parachute Adams #12-22
2. Elk Hair Caddis #12-16
3. Ausable Wulff #12-14
4. BH Hare's Ear Nymph #16-20
5. BH Pheasant Tail Nymph, same sizes
6. Woolly Buggers
7. Glo-bugs
Okay, so I went two over. I couldn't cut it down further than that, because I just couldn't imagine going on a trout stream without any of those. But those seven patterns are all I usually carry on familiar waters, outside of hopper season. That's not including a few of my own creations, most of which are streamers that I don't have names for.
1. Adams/Parachute Adams #12-22
2. Elk Hair Caddis #12-16
3. Ausable Wulff #12-14
4. BH Hare's Ear Nymph #16-20
5. BH Pheasant Tail Nymph, same sizes
6. Woolly Buggers
7. Glo-bugs
Okay, so I went two over. I couldn't cut it down further than that, because I just couldn't imagine going on a trout stream without any of those. But those seven patterns are all I usually carry on familiar waters, outside of hopper season. That's not including a few of my own creations, most of which are streamers that I don't have names for.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
GldstrmSam on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 10:39 am EST
6. Woolly Buggers
Definitely!!
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm. ~Patrick F. McManus
Martinlf on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 12:00 pm EST
green weenie
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Motrout on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 1:46 pm EST
green weenie
Yes, those are pretty great. Can't believe I forgot those.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
Minnesota on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 2:25 pm EST
Elk hair caddis is a good one too.
Jason Moe
Softhackle on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 2:27 pm EST
My selection would all be wet flies, so I'll give you three.
Black Gnat
Leisenring Spider
Partridge and Olive Emerger
Mark
Black Gnat
Leisenring Spider
Partridge and Olive Emerger
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Minnesota on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 3:43 pm EST
Interesting choices. I like your leisenring spider.
Jason Moe
Wbranch on Feb 13, 2012February 13th, 2012, 4:16 pm EST
Well it is hard for me to narrow it down to five especially since when I get out on the water I probably have at least a couple of whatever flies are emerging on that day in various life cycle stages and at least two sizes.
Dries -
Adams #12 - #20
EHC olive body/Brown wing #12 - #20
Wets -
Black Wooly Bugger #2 - #10
Hares Ear nymph - (dark natural) #10 - #18
My choice fly is Gray over white Clouser #1 - #6
Dries -
Adams #12 - #20
EHC olive body/Brown wing #12 - #20
Wets -
Black Wooly Bugger #2 - #10
Hares Ear nymph - (dark natural) #10 - #18
My choice fly is Gray over white Clouser #1 - #6
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Flatstick96 on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 5:28 am EST
Gotta have some wet black ants in the box.
Love all three of the wet flies Mark posted; I should have more wets in my box - I do really enjoy fishing them. I've had a lot of success in the past with one that he didn't list: the March Brown Spider.
A very simple #18 BHPT (no legs) is one I tend to do well with, quite often.
Shawnny's Gold Rush.
Last few trips back to central PA I've done well with a small baetis emerger pattern that I got from Steve at FFP years ago:
http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/fly-tying/baetis-emerger-bwo
Love all three of the wet flies Mark posted; I should have more wets in my box - I do really enjoy fishing them. I've had a lot of success in the past with one that he didn't list: the March Brown Spider.
A very simple #18 BHPT (no legs) is one I tend to do well with, quite often.
Shawnny's Gold Rush.
Last few trips back to central PA I've done well with a small baetis emerger pattern that I got from Steve at FFP years ago:
http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/fly-tying/baetis-emerger-bwo
Minnesota on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 9:22 am EST
I need to boost my wet fly selection also. Looks like the Adams and wooly buggers are must haves.
Jason Moe
Wbranch on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 12:34 pm EST
I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I have never caught a trout on a soft hackle fly!
I tie some every year and they look pretty and when nothing is rising I put one on once in awhile but I don't know how to fish it. Do you fish it like a nymph? Cast a little up and across and mend to get a good drift or do you just throw it across and let it swing down in front of you and strip it back?
I tie some every year and they look pretty and when nothing is rising I put one on once in awhile but I don't know how to fish it. Do you fish it like a nymph? Cast a little up and across and mend to get a good drift or do you just throw it across and let it swing down in front of you and strip it back?
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Softhackle on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 3:12 pm EST
YES. Exactly. Wbranch, The thing is, wingless wets are so versatile, you can fish it by any of those methods. Most fishermen like to fish them on the swing. Take a look at this:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/part402.php
The techniques described in the article will work with wingless wets as well.
There are also some great upstream techniques which work as well as dry fly fishing, and as exciting because you can see the fly being taken by the fish.
Mark
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/part402.php
The techniques described in the article will work with wingless wets as well.
There are also some great upstream techniques which work as well as dry fly fishing, and as exciting because you can see the fly being taken by the fish.
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders: http://www.troutnut.com/libstudio/FS&S/index.html
Jesse on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 9:01 pm EST
For Dries id go a 14-16 adams, and a small 18-22 knat pattarn.
For Wets id go a hares ear and small pheasant tail.
For my other option id go with a woolly bugger of any color.
For Wets id go a hares ear and small pheasant tail.
For my other option id go with a woolly bugger of any color.
Most of us fish our whole lives..not knowing its not the fish that we are after.
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com
Minnesota on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 10:55 pm EST
Its funny, i've been fly-fishing for over 25 years, and the Adams is my favorite to tie, and the best dry fly that I catch fish with. I've never talked to anyone else in these years about must haves. #1 on the list so far, is going to be the Adams..size 12-20. wide range of sizes, and I know there are differences in patterns. Hackle tip wing, hair wing, etc. Patterns and close sizes is what i'm looking for. Wooley Buggers and Hairs Ears might come in 2nd. Theres lots more ideas out there. We would all love to hear it. Thanks,,Jason
Jason Moe
Minnesota on Feb 14, 2012February 14th, 2012, 11:06 pm EST
Talking about Wooley Buggers. My favorite pattern, colors, variation..is I like to add weight to it. I like to wrap some lead wire around the hook. I tie them will all black string, body, hackle, and the variation is, I like to cut the hackle down to about 1/8 inch, and add a 2 inch tail of black ostrich herl. It simulates a leech. I've caught tons of fish on it. I fish it like a jig, pull and strip.
Jason Moe
Motrout on Feb 15, 2012February 15th, 2012, 10:18 am EST
Its funny, i've been fly-fishing for over 25 years, and the Adams is my favorite to tie, and the best dry fly that I catch fish with. I've never talked to anyone else in these years about must haves. #1 on the list so far, is going to be the Adams..size 12-20. wide range of sizes, and I know there are differences in patterns. Hackle tip wing, hair wing, etc. Patterns and close sizes is what i'm looking for. Wooley Buggers and Hairs Ears might come in 2nd. Theres lots more ideas out there. We would all love to hear it. Thanks,,Jason
Yes, Adams are definitely the one fly to have...I've probably caught more fish on those than all other dry flies combined, except Ausable Wulffs. And Ausable Wulffs are an odd case with me. Despite them not being even really being one of the most effective dries for the waters I fish, I usually find myself turning to them. I guess the only good reason I have is that whenever I use them, I'm reminded of the great times I've spent in the Adirondack high peaks, and they are really pretty flies and easy to see on the water. I sometimes have what other people would consider to be pretty odd ways of figuring out what fly to use, and often it doesn't have much to do with whether I think it will catch fish.
See why I'll never be that great of a fly fisherman? But I enjoy it, so it doesn't matter.
"I don't know what fly fishing teaches us, but I think it's something we need to know."-John Gierach
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
http://fishingintheozarks.blogspot.com/
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