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.
By Troutnut on June 30th, 2018
After catching lots of small-stream fish Saturday, I drove Sunday with my wife up to a high lake for a bit of hiking and some non-serious fishing for stocked rainbows. I caught one, missed another, and didn't have time to wait around for more to swim into castable range.
We had a long drive out. The would be traffic across the pass on I-90 heading back toward Seattle, but I was eager just to get back down the mountain in one piece. We averaged 2 mph down the sketchy 2.5-mile Jeep trial leading back to the main forest road, where we could race along at 5-15 mph for several more miles.
We had a long drive out. The would be traffic across the pass on I-90 heading back toward Seattle, but I was eager just to get back down the mountain in one piece. We averaged 2 mph down the sketchy 2.5-mile Jeep trial leading back to the main forest road, where we could race along at 5-15 mph for several more miles.
Photos by Troutnut from Gallaher Head Lake in Washington
Comments / replies
Creno on Jul 3, 2018July 3rd, 2018, 7:21 am EDT
That is some nice country :-)
Jmd123 on Jul 3, 2018July 3rd, 2018, 10:23 am EDT
Gorgeous!! Spectacular topography, high-mountain conifers, pretty fish! How deep does that lake get, it looks shallow from your photos...? Again, what flies worked for you?
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Troutnut on Jul 3, 2018July 3rd, 2018, 6:19 pm EDT
The lake was mostly shallow, but there's a deep part near one end where I couldn't see the bottom, and the fish were mostly cruising around that and rising every once in a while. I was pressed for time and anxious to make sure my Jeep survived the drive out (it did fine), so I only fished for 20 minutes or so. Two fish were working near me; I caught one and spooked the other with a missed hookset. The fly was a size 12 beadhead pink squirrel (Wisconsin pattern and my go-to gaudy attractor nymph).
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Jmd123 on Jul 4, 2018July 4th, 2018, 5:49 am EDT
Attractors work, otherwise no one would have ever bothered coming up with the Royal Coachman, etc. You'll have to go back when you have more time! And trust your Jeep - I'm driving one now, considerably more suited to my "up North" lifestyle than the deceased Chevy Cobalt (that's another story)…
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Troutnut on Jul 4, 2018July 4th, 2018, 7:09 pm EDT
And trust your Jeep
I do, up to a point... the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is about as good as a stock vehicle gets for offroad driving. But the "road" was still a bit beyond what I'm used to. It worked out fine, though. Here's somebody's Youtube video of the drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqo5HAx08mI&t=2m5s (copy and paste the link; direct doesn't work for some reason).
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Quick Reply
Related Discussions
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
2
Oct 31, 2013
by Kschaefer3
by Kschaefer3
0
Aug 12, 2012
by Hdhungryman
by Hdhungryman