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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SlumberJack on Jun 21, 2016June 21st, 2016, 5:22 pm EDT
Hey Guys!
I'm pretty new to fly fishing (been at it 3 years), and want to upgrade my rod. I currently fish a Fenwick AFTMA FF805, paired with a vintage Pfleuger medalist. I've been looking at rods in the $150-$250 range, but don't know which brand will truly give me the best bang for my buck. Brands like Fenwick, Orvis, Redington, and TFO have all been looked at, but if I'm missing a great brand, let me know. I would be using this rod for mostly native brookies, but also take on decent rainbows/browns. I was thinking a 5wt, but I'm not sure. Anything helps!
I'm pretty new to fly fishing (been at it 3 years), and want to upgrade my rod. I currently fish a Fenwick AFTMA FF805, paired with a vintage Pfleuger medalist. I've been looking at rods in the $150-$250 range, but don't know which brand will truly give me the best bang for my buck. Brands like Fenwick, Orvis, Redington, and TFO have all been looked at, but if I'm missing a great brand, let me know. I would be using this rod for mostly native brookies, but also take on decent rainbows/browns. I was thinking a 5wt, but I'm not sure. Anything helps!
-Anthony Swanson
Martinlf on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 9:51 am EDT
I like Redington and TFO rods for the money. If you can cast the rod to see which one feels best that's a good approach to final selection. How much you pay won't determine how well the rod fishes for you. I fish a Cabela's CZN 10' 4 Wt a lot when nymphing, and sometimes when fishing dry flies. It works well for me. I have a Cabela's 9' 3Wt LsI that I use for small flies and streams, and have landed some 18+ inch trout on it. For years I looked down on Cabela's rods, partly out of some misplaced snobbery. Now I just try to fish what I like and don't really care what anyone else thinks or says about what or how I fish.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Oldredbarn on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 10:35 am EDT
I agree with Louis. You need to get a few in your hand and try them out. A good shop will give you options and a place to try them out. I think you owe it to yourself to make one of the choices a Scott. I have an A3 3wt that has some serious backbone for a 3wt. Their A4's run about $395.
Most rod makers have an entry level now. Even Winston has Nexus rods that are in that mid range.
Spence
Most rod makers have an entry level now. Even Winston has Nexus rods that are in that mid range.
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
Kschaefer3 on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 10:53 am EDT
I agree with Louis. You need to get a few in your hand and try them out. A good shop will give you options and a place to try them out. I think you owe it to yourself to make one of the choices a Scott. I have an A3 3wt that has some serious backbone for a 3wt. Their A4's run about $395.
Most rod makers have an entry level now. Even Winston has Nexus rods that are in that mid range.
Spence
I LOVE my Nexus. You couldn't pay me to fish a Winston boron rod, but you'd have trouble prying the Nexus from my hands.
I know a lot of folks who have been very happy with Echo rods too.
SlumberJack on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 10:54 am EDT
Thanks! I went to a local Field and Stream today, and got to mess around with a Reddington Classic Trout, a Fenwick Eagle, a St. Croix Rio Santo, and a Fenwick Aetos. I really enjoyed the Aetos and Classic Trout, but to further narrow it down, would you guys recommend the Aetos, Classic Trout, and either the LK Pro 2 or Clouser from TFO. Again, anything helps,thanks guys!
-Anthony Swanson
SlumberJack on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 10:57 am EDT
In reply to the Nexus, because it's a bit out of my range, are there any used rod sites where I could potentially pick one up for a lower price?
-Anthony Swanson
Oldredbarn on Jun 22, 2016June 22nd, 2016, 1:43 pm EDT
I LOVE my Nexus. You couldn't pay me to fish a Winston boron rod, but you'd have trouble prying the Nexus from my hands.
This past summer I picked up a Nexus 9' 6wt from a guide friend who was updating his rods...I'm looking to use it as a boat rod or maybe a smallie rod...I am rather fond though of my two BIIIx Winstons. I have a 4&5 wt. The 4 was my retirement rod, and I got lucky and bought the other one off a guy who had won it in a raffle.
Anthony...Not a lot of rods hold their value on the resale market and I'm sure if you looked around you may find something...
Spence
"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood
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