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
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.
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.
Report at a Glance
| General Region | central PA |
| Specific Location | top secret |
| Dates Fished | everyday |
| Time of Day | any time |
| Fish Caught | trout |
| Conditions & Hatches | rainy,sunny, |
Details and Discussion
BxRxTxK on Jul 29, 2007July 29th, 2007, 1:43 pm EDT
nice dude...
cant wait to come back up...
cant wait to come back up...
Wbranch on Jul 29, 2007July 29th, 2007, 2:13 pm EDT
Great looking water, is it private? Also pretty wild brown and what appears to be a wild 'bow.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
IEatimago on Jul 29, 2007July 29th, 2007, 2:43 pm EDT
the very last picture is a stretch of private water.
Wbranch on Jul 29, 2007July 29th, 2007, 2:48 pm EDT
Is it a section on Spruce Creek? I fished the lower Harpster water on Spruce about five years ago with my wife. It was fun but so artificial in the size and quantity of fish on such a small and narrow creek. I think I caught something like 38 fish in just 2 1/2 days and many were 15" and bigger.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
IEatimago on Jul 29, 2007July 29th, 2007, 4:51 pm EDT
no thats penns creek, down the road from my home.
i pretty much only get to fish penns every day because its so close to me, but i have made it to spring creek and honey creek.
i am learning more about other streams so soon i will see other areas.
i have wanted to check out the george harvey part of spruce creek for awhile, but felt that it would be over fished, thats great you did so wel i may have to go give it a whirl.
i pretty much only get to fish penns every day because its so close to me, but i have made it to spring creek and honey creek.
i am learning more about other streams so soon i will see other areas.
i have wanted to check out the george harvey part of spruce creek for awhile, but felt that it would be over fished, thats great you did so wel i may have to go give it a whirl.
Martinlf on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 5:53 am EDT
I believe the Harpster water is private, but I've fished the Harvey water and you can have a ball there on beetles this time of year.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wbranch on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 7:24 am EDT
The Harpster water is private but if you have the loot you can book two - three day excursions with an outfitter. If anyone wants to know the web site PM me.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
LittleJ on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 9:51 am EDT
If your going to make a trip to the harvey water wait till fall or some rain, which ever comes first. As of last sun. it was very low.
Martinlf on Jul 30, 2007July 30th, 2007, 4:40 pm EDT
Jeff, I hadn't thought of that as I haven't been up this summer. That sounds like good advice given how little water we've had recently. Thanks for following up.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
BxRxTxK on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 4:13 am EDT
I'm gonna be taking a fall trip up that way myself...
any pattern suggestions that I should tie to get my wallet ready in the meantime???
thanks
---------------------------Buddy
any pattern suggestions that I should tie to get my wallet ready in the meantime???
thanks
---------------------------Buddy
IEatimago on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 5:31 am EDT
trico's 20-24, slate drake #12
blue quill #18 little blue dun #20
little bwo 20-24 brown caddis #14
midges and your nymphs, buddy after bethlehem i have to go to kentucky, ill be back by the end of the month
then the nsf bbq is sept 7,8,9, in b.more i dont know if im going for sure but if you want you can roll with.
otherwise we can stay here and just fish.
blue quill #18 little blue dun #20
little bwo 20-24 brown caddis #14
midges and your nymphs, buddy after bethlehem i have to go to kentucky, ill be back by the end of the month
then the nsf bbq is sept 7,8,9, in b.more i dont know if im going for sure but if you want you can roll with.
otherwise we can stay here and just fish.
LittleJ on Jul 31, 2007July 31st, 2007, 2:04 pm EDT
don't leave home without some isonychia nymphs 10-14
jeff
jeff
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
4
Sep 26, 2015
by Martinlf
by Martinlf