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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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.
— 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.
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Report at a Glance
| General Region | South Central PA |
| Specific Location | Tulpehocken Creek |
| Dates Fished | June 9 |
| Time of Day | 5:30 a.m. (for Matt, me 6) till about 1:30 |
| Fish Caught | Browns and Rainbows |
| Conditions & Hatches | Water was a bit turbid, emerald and tan caddis, tricos. Cloudy then mostly sunny, wind picked up as the day progressed. |
Details and Discussion
Martinlf on Jun 11, 2012June 11th, 2012, 3:40 am EDT
Met Matt Hainst on the Tully. There is no way to spot burn this stream as it's well known and visited by everyone within 100 miles. Even so, I won't say exactly where we fished, but I started upstream a few miles nymphing, then joined Matt downstream for some dry fly action. We both caught fish and we both had refusals, but a good time was had by all, except a dozen or so fish who were, after a bit of exercise and further education, released. I had fish up to 14 inches, and Matt some bigger, I believe, but Matt can correct me if I'm wrong about this. No photos that I know of. The fish were fat and healthy, if well-schooled.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Oldredbarn on Jun 11, 2012June 11th, 2012, 1:40 pm EDT
The fish were fat and healthy, if well-schooled.
Louis...If they weren't "well-schooled" before you and Matt showed up, they are now! :)
Spence
"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
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
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