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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.

Dorsal view of a Grammotaulius betteni (Limnephilidae) (Northern Caddisfly) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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.
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Dorsal view of a Baetis (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York
Baetis7
MI

Posts: 17
Baetis7 on Aug 20, 2014August 20th, 2014, 9:08 am EDT
I have noticed a good amount of baetis nymph shucks tied with an orange antron or similar material. What do you folks think about the right color for a shuck?
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Aug 20, 2014August 20th, 2014, 10:49 am EDT
Yeah, LaFontaine liked to use orange wings on his emergers - his "Theory of Attraction" working there as opposed to imitation. The mysterious success of the color orange when incorporated in flies used during hatches of olive mayflies goes back many years. It was reported by English authors at least as far back as 80 years ago, perhaps more. In my experience, sometimes it seems to help - but usually not.
"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

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