Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
Featured on the forum
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.
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.
Mcflyangler on Jun 9, 2016June 9th, 2016, 4:55 pm EDT
The CDC Dry Fly Midge is a perfect imitation for a midge hatch. These tiny flies are fairly easy to tie if you have good eyes, and do really well tandem behind a Griffith's gnat or larger dry fly. They are also really quick to tie, so you can make up dozens of them in an hour for your next trip. Don't be caught off guard by the next midge hatch! keep these in your box at all times!
Hook: Daiichi 1110 size 26 (any 1x length dry fly hook will work) regularly tied from size 20-32.
Thread: 8/0 thread in black, or any color you want to tie this in. Regularly tied in gray, brown, olive and cream.
Hackle: The top feathers of a dry fly cape. These are very small hackle feathers, specifically for small midge flies.
Wings: CDC Feathers. I used "natural dun" color, but common colors are white, brown, and gray.
Music: Sunny, ukulele - Bensound.com
Hook: Daiichi 1110 size 26 (any 1x length dry fly hook will work) regularly tied from size 20-32.
Thread: 8/0 thread in black, or any color you want to tie this in. Regularly tied in gray, brown, olive and cream.
Hackle: The top feathers of a dry fly cape. These are very small hackle feathers, specifically for small midge flies.
Wings: CDC Feathers. I used "natural dun" color, but common colors are white, brown, and gray.
Music: Sunny, ukulele - Bensound.com
Mc Fly Angler
http://www.mcflyangler.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/mcflylures
http://www.mcflyangler.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/mcflylures
Frusso on Nov 24, 2018November 24th, 2018, 4:42 am EST
Nice, easy pattern. Looks promising, so I will be tying some up for the Sierras.
Fishtaler
Iasgair on Feb 11, 2019February 11th, 2019, 10:46 am EST
Looks like I'll be busy tonight tying flies.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
Martinlf on Feb 11, 2019February 11th, 2019, 1:30 pm EST
Try Tiemco 2488's for midges. Good gap. I also like the Varivas 2300 midge hook, but the wire is a bit light in the smallest sizes. I've broken one and bent another on heavier fish.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Jawyellowba on Feb 11, 2019February 11th, 2019, 7:58 pm EST
Great vid man! Keep up the great work.
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply