Header image
Enter a name
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.

RMlytle
RMlytle's profile picture
Connecticut

Posts: 40
RMlytle on Jan 24, 2015January 24th, 2015, 6:16 pm EST
I might have the chance to go up to the Salmon River (New York) this March or April for steelhead. Does anyone have any helpful advise as far as flies and techniques for that time of year? Are there any small tribs that could be good for some sight fishing?
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Jan 25, 2015January 25th, 2015, 6:03 am EST
From what I've heard from friends who have gone up and a few articles I've seen in newspapers from the area the steelhead fishing has been absolutely terrible. Guys are spending the entire weekend up there and not touching a fish. There are a number of smaller creeks that enter the Salmon River. One is named Orwell Brook and another is called Trout Brook. Both of these tribs near the Pineville bridge. Trout Brook enters the SR on just north side of the bridge. Orwell creek also enters from the north side of the river a few miles south of the town of Altmar. Way down at the Lake and a bit south of where the Salmon River enters the lake is Grindstone Creek. It goes right under the road.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Jan 25, 2015January 25th, 2015, 6:10 am EST
For flies in the spring you can't go wrong with Blood Dots, various colors of sucker spawn, typical nymphs but on 1x or 2x strong hooks,a Prince, Hares Ear, Black stoneflies. If you swing I like some of the more traditional hair wing steelhead patterns as well as some of the newer marabou flies.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
RMlytle
RMlytle's profile picture
Connecticut

Posts: 40
RMlytle on Jan 25, 2015January 25th, 2015, 2:49 pm EST
Thanks, I'm hoping it somehow improves a bit. I've heard from a few guys that have done terribly and a few that had some really good days. Fingers crossed!

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
3
Nov 19, 2007
by Jmd123
7
Jul 16, 2008
by GONZO
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy