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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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.
- 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.
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Report at a Glance
| General Region | Yorkshire Dales National Park, Yorkshire, England |
| Specific Location | River Wharf, above Burnsall |
| Dates Fished | July 17 |
| Time of Day | All Day |
| Fish Caught | Brown Trout |
| Conditions & Hatches | Water Temp 56 degrees,peaty but fairly clear Water 12-14 inches above normal--very wet summer of heavy prolonged rains. Sproradic hatches of pale watery duns but not fishable. (yup, that's what he called them. |
Details and Discussion
CaseyP on Jul 17, 2007July 17th, 2007, 9:00 am EDT
Czech Nymphed (three heavy nymphs fished on a short line, moving up or downstream every 10 casts or so) all day because of high water. had good success; 8 or 9 landed, several more given a long-distance release, and a bunch of bites until i got the hang of it.
two real wild trout, one about 8 inches long and so beautiful we forgot to take the photo, and one about 16 inches that put up the best fight of the day.
the one in the photo over in the photo forum took a good 5 minutes or more to land. there are supposed to be lots of grayling in the river, but they weren't interested in our offerings. guide was overjoyed when the fish began biting after a slow start; it's been a dreadful summer with too many days cancelled because of bad conditions. we did sit out one thunderstorm on the bank in the photo...the other excitement was a military jet that flew very suddenly and loudly at low level over our heads--good thing i like those birds!
in the late afternoon we found some quieter water with a good riffle and I began to learn how to fish all those soft hackles you all were so kind to teach me. had three bites, but lost them to overenthusiastic hooksets from upstream. oh, heavens, another set to learn! then had to leave when the clouds gathered again.
not a day i'll soon forget!
(Oops, just noticed i could have put the pictures in here...next time)
two real wild trout, one about 8 inches long and so beautiful we forgot to take the photo, and one about 16 inches that put up the best fight of the day.
the one in the photo over in the photo forum took a good 5 minutes or more to land. there are supposed to be lots of grayling in the river, but they weren't interested in our offerings. guide was overjoyed when the fish began biting after a slow start; it's been a dreadful summer with too many days cancelled because of bad conditions. we did sit out one thunderstorm on the bank in the photo...the other excitement was a military jet that flew very suddenly and loudly at low level over our heads--good thing i like those birds!
in the late afternoon we found some quieter water with a good riffle and I began to learn how to fish all those soft hackles you all were so kind to teach me. had three bites, but lost them to overenthusiastic hooksets from upstream. oh, heavens, another set to learn! then had to leave when the clouds gathered again.
not a day i'll soon forget!
(Oops, just noticed i could have put the pictures in here...next time)
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Martinlf on May 13, 2012May 13th, 2012, 6:25 pm EDT
Beautiful fish, Casey. Thanks for sharing. We are all learning, and the day we stop, take us off the stream.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
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