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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As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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Martinlf on Dec 3, 2015December 3rd, 2015, 8:41 pm EST
I was going to second the comment on the Prince too. George Daniels fishes it, and I'm sure he knows how to catch a fish or two, but I haven't tied one yet. I keep saying I'll give it a try, but so far other flies have filled my boxes.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
TimCat on Dec 3, 2015December 3rd, 2015, 9:05 pm EST
What's in a name? Maybe that has something to do with it as well. I know people have spoke about the confidence in the fly you fish and the impact that may have... If we can take anything from this thread, maybe it is that you can't judge a book (fly) by its cover. We all know the variables of this fly fishing thing can be daunting and throw a wrench into our so-called systems...
Perhaps this could be a lesson for life experiences. Whether it is fly fishing or life in general, maybe we should all try something new tomorrow, or give something a second chance!
Perhaps this could be a lesson for life experiences. Whether it is fly fishing or life in general, maybe we should all try something new tomorrow, or give something a second chance!
"If I'm not going to catch anything, then I 'd rather not catch anything on flies" - Bob Lawless
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