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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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.

I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.

The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.

Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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.

GldstrmSam
GldstrmSam's profile picture
Fairbanks, Alaska

Posts: 212
GldstrmSam on Sep 22, 2012September 22nd, 2012, 2:09 pm EDT
Today is the day that we process turkeys, so that means I have a chance to get some feathers.
Does any body know a fly tying use for any white feathers from different parts of the turkey?
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm. ~Patrick F. McManus
CaseyP
CaseyP's profile picture
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653
CaseyP on Sep 22, 2012September 22nd, 2012, 2:41 pm EDT
the white body feathers are great for making quills out of for quill-bodied dry flies. check out A.K. Best's patterns. he's got a whole system of stripping and dying them.

they also make nice little posts for parachutes.
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Sep 22, 2012September 22nd, 2012, 10:19 pm EDT
Hi Sam,

Yes indeed! Marabou (streamers, emergers, etc.) and neck feathers or "T-base" come to mind (for wing posts on parachute patterns). Some of the body feathers or "flats" are also good, and the leading edges of their flight feathers have long quills that can be dyed to use for quill bodies and stonefly tails. They are much better than goose in terms of toughness and length. In their natural white state they are great for Prince Nymph wings. Lots of useful feathers!
"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
GldstrmSam
GldstrmSam's profile picture
Fairbanks, Alaska

Posts: 212
GldstrmSam on Sep 23, 2012September 23rd, 2012, 9:41 pm EDT
Thanks Guys,

By the time I read your posts the turkeys were done, but I did get some off the ground.
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm. ~Patrick F. McManus

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