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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Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.
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Martinlf on Apr 28, 2007April 28th, 2007, 2:58 pm EDT
Fishing a small freestone that Gonzo knows pretty well, this evening I found a number of Hendrickson spinners in the air, dark brown, size 12 or 14, bright yellow egg mass. But there were also some other spinners, brown on the top, cream on the bottom. I caught one that seemed to have a small whitish egg mass. It seems early, but might this have been a March Brown? It was about a size 14 or 12, and not as stocky looking as the subvarias, with a definite kink in its abdomen, making it look like it was drying up some. I know March Browns are typically much bigger on larger streams, but I believe they run to the small side on this stream. Any suggestions? I guess I'll have to get a camera!
Almost forgot to give a fishing report: Caught a handful of little wild browns up to about 9 inches, and a nice fat wild rainbow also about 9 inches. Beautiful evening.
Almost forgot to give a fishing report: Caught a handful of little wild browns up to about 9 inches, and a nice fat wild rainbow also about 9 inches. Beautiful evening.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Troutnut on Apr 28, 2007April 28th, 2007, 5:23 pm EDT
Glad to hear somebody's catching fish! I've had nothing but skunkings this year, and right now the rivers aren't fishable. We haven't had decent fishing conditions here yet.
As for your mayfly, have you flipped through the Heptageniidae specimens on this site and see if anything catches your eye? I might have something similar.
As for your mayfly, have you flipped through the Heptageniidae specimens on this site and see if anything catches your eye? I might have something similar.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Martinlf on Apr 28, 2007April 28th, 2007, 11:36 pm EDT
Nah, I was being lazy (or thinking about tying some flies) last night when I posted up the question. Actually I just couldn't think of another bug it might be. But your idea was a good one. It may have been an Epeorus pleuralis, Quill Gordon, spinner which I did not think hatched in this stream. But this creek is always surprising me. Thanks for the tip, Jason. Come down to PA, trout are rising; and things have to improve up your way with warmer weather approaching. Good luck in future outings.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
GONZO on Apr 29, 2007April 29th, 2007, 3:47 am EDT
Louis, I'm pretty sure they were QG spinners. That creek does have them. (Or, at least, it did when I was young.)
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