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

Featured on the forum

Re: Trico emergers
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Bwoklink (Martinlf replied)

Re: Trico Tips
In the Mayfly Genus Tricorythodes by Martinlf

Re: UV spectrum and trout
In General Discussion by Martinlf

Re: closing the gender gap in flyfishing
In General Discussion by Konchu (Smallflyguy replied)

Re: Fishing Kupa River, Slovenia
In Fishing Reports by Slocum (Fish1 replied)

Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington

As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.

7 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.

Subimago to identify..., Page 4

Konchu

Site Editor
Indiana

Posts: 498

Konchu on Mar 12, 2012March 12th, 2012, 9:40 am EDT

Hey: I've got Dulude's book. What is it you were wanting to know at this point? I don't read or speak much French, so I hope nothing is lost in translation.

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Mar 12, 2012March 12th, 2012, 1:20 pm EDT

Ha! Great. Trying to run down any research reporting on the presence of atrocaudatus in QC. According to Michel, the author mentions its presence, and there's hope that the reference for this is in the biblio.

Thanks

"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

Konchu

Site Editor
Indiana

Posts: 498

Konchu on Mar 12, 2012March 12th, 2012, 4:29 pm EDT

He had it listed as being in QC, but I didn't see anything to substantiate it being there. In other words, he could have expected it but not seen it yet (though I have little doubt he saw something he thought was H. atrocaudata). Curiously, I don't think he had it listed in his hatch chart.

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Mar 12, 2012March 12th, 2012, 4:44 pm EDT

Thanks Luke,

I believe the author is an angler not a scientist which was why I hoped he cited a paper in the biblio. Though he's got the number of species right, I wonder if he's confusing atrocaudata with bilineata, the third species that has been found there.

Still, I have to agree with Jason that this sure looks like atrocaudata (whatever that means). :)

"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

Pilonm
Quebec

Posts: 19

Pilonm on Mar 31, 2012March 31st, 2012, 4:44 am EDT

Hello all,

I finally succeeded to open the door of my shed :)

So I got finally the measure and know now how long it was...

Once again, I am really surprised about the results: this Hexagenia measures 1.9 cm only!!!! Wow! I was sure it was at least 40mm!!! So I realized that the big wings, the fact that he often have its front legs in front of his head and the long cerci make him looks very bigger (what an illusion)! (Imagine if it was a trout! ;-) ).

So knowing now its size, can we say for sure that it is Hexagenia atrocaudata? It seems so, isn't it?

Thanks,,

Michel

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Mar 31, 2012March 31st, 2012, 9:11 am EDT

I'm glad you got the measurement! Those Hex mayflies do tend to look much bigger than they are.

I certainly think atrocaudata is looking pretty good as an ID now.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Mar 31, 2012March 31st, 2012, 9:21 am EDT

I certainly think atrocaudata is looking pretty good as an ID now.

I agree. Thanks for following up on the measurement, Michel.

"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

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Mar 31, 2012March 31st, 2012, 2:48 pm EDT

So knowing now its size, can we say for sure that it is Hexagenia atrocaudata? It seems so, isn't it?

So Michel, does this mean that mean I have your blessing to move it back to H. atrocaudata in BugGuide?

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Pilonm
Quebec

Posts: 19

Pilonm on Apr 1, 2012April 1st, 2012, 5:50 am EDT

Of course Roger :)

Cheers,

Michel

Pilonm
Quebec

Posts: 19

Pilonm on Apr 1, 2012April 1st, 2012, 5:53 am EDT

Also, I want to thanks everybody on this forum for helping me so much on this ID. I learned so much reading your so pertinent posts!!!

You are great people :D

Cheers,

Michel