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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Jmd123 on Apr 24, 2016April 24th, 2016, 1:53 pm EDT
Hey guys, I just loaded up a new reel with a sink tip type 6 line. I got this for dredging the depths of a local lake which holds bigger perch and trout than I have been catching, and I will be fishing it with dumbbell-eyed flies like KBFs and Woolly Buggers (maybe some nymphs too). What type and length of leader would be appropriate for fishing this rig? The lake is 38 feet deep at the deepest, and I would like to try to get down to perhaps 15 feet if possible to see if there are bigger fish hiding in the depths.
Any recommendations from the gang would be most appreciated!
Jonathon
Any recommendations from the gang would be most appreciated!
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Roguerat on Apr 25, 2016April 25th, 2016, 9:14 am EDT
Jonathon-
I've been using Rio Versileaders to swing streamers for a while now, for $ 12-14 ea I can have a sink-tip that in the heavier versions will sink like a rock. What about their 12' 7 ips Versileader with flouro tippet to reach the 15' depths you need?
just a thought,
tight lines,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
I've been using Rio Versileaders to swing streamers for a while now, for $ 12-14 ea I can have a sink-tip that in the heavier versions will sink like a rock. What about their 12' 7 ips Versileader with flouro tippet to reach the 15' depths you need?
just a thought,
tight lines,
Roguerat
'Less is more...'
Ludwig Mies Vande Rohe
Afishinado on Apr 25, 2016April 25th, 2016, 10:36 am EDT
Hey guys, I just loaded up a new reel with a sink tip type 6 line. I got this for dredging the depths of a local lake which holds bigger perch and trout than I have been catching, and I will be fishing it with dumbbell-eyed flies like KBFs and Woolly Buggers (maybe some nymphs too). What type and length of leader would be appropriate for fishing this rig? The lake is 38 feet deep at the deepest, and I would like to try to get down to perhaps 15 feet if possible to see if there are bigger fish hiding in the depths.
Any recommendations from the gang would be most appreciated!
Jonathon
Straight mono or fluorocarbon 3' long +/-.
Longer leaders and/or tapered leaders cause the fly to ride up.
You can attach to your sinking line using a perfection or other loop knot.
Good luck catching the bigguns...
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