Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
This is an interesting one. Following the keys in Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019) and Jacobus et al. (2014), it keys clearly to Ephemerella. Jacobus et al provide a key to species, but some of the characteristics are tricky to interpret without illustrations. If I didn't make any mistakes, this one keys to Ephemerella mucronata, which has not previously been reported any closer to here than Montana and Alberta. The main character seems to fit well: "Abdominal terga with prominent, paired, subparallel, spiculate ridges." Several illustrations or descriptions of this holarctic species from the US and Europe seem to match, including the body length, tarsal claws and denticles, labial palp, and gill shapes. These sources include including Richard Allen's original description of this species in North America under the now-defunct name E. moffatae in Allen RK (1977) and the figures in this description of the species in Italy.
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.
Stokes on Nov 5, 2013November 5th, 2013, 12:25 pm EST
I have 2 different Orvis Clearwater rods,a 5wt and 2wt.I know they are Orvis' "economy" models but to me they are great.I did have a cheap Berkley 5wt and can see that the clearwaters are so much better,lighter,load up so much better,etc.My question,and I know its all subjective,are these "higher end" rods going for $500 and way up,really worth the investment?As I say,I realize it is very subjective and the only real way to know is to try it,not the kind of thing you order on line,just like to hear opinions from you guys more experienced in this obsession.
PaulRoberts on Nov 5, 2013November 5th, 2013, 2:02 pm EST
Here's one piece of objective advice on rod pricing vs performance:
I am more apt to put some money into longer rods (8-1/2 or longer) bc here is where you begin to really reap the benefits of higher modulus materials and formulations. For shorter rods the ability to maintain some rigidity (crispness) and still have a light rod can be done with lesser materials. In fact, to slow rods down some short rod enthusiasts like glass. You don't see many long glass rods anymore -clubs they are.
So, for short rods, I'm happy with lower/moderate end rods. But for long rods, I'm willing to shell out the bucks.
I am more apt to put some money into longer rods (8-1/2 or longer) bc here is where you begin to really reap the benefits of higher modulus materials and formulations. For shorter rods the ability to maintain some rigidity (crispness) and still have a light rod can be done with lesser materials. In fact, to slow rods down some short rod enthusiasts like glass. You don't see many long glass rods anymore -clubs they are.
So, for short rods, I'm happy with lower/moderate end rods. But for long rods, I'm willing to shell out the bucks.
Al514 on Nov 5, 2013November 5th, 2013, 2:14 pm EST
@Paul Roberts.....well said.
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
2
Jul 5, 2009
by Pdq5oh
by Pdq5oh
