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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Lltdeer on Sep 20, 2018September 20th, 2018, 10:34 am EDT
hi everyone new to the forum. I'm 63 and used to fly fish all the time when I lived in PA.started when I was about 12yrs old.tied my own flies, I lived for fly fishing. moved south when I was 23 and been out of fishing. Got into archery hunting and archery tournaments. So I've been out of fly fishing for awhile now. Wife and I went to Alaska vacation cruise thing last august. I booked a all day fly fishing, mostly for grayling.am hooked again, want to go back next September for grayling and salmon.
Now for my question. I have a Fenwick hmg 8'takes a #6 line ,I know it's over 40yrs old now ,really like the rod.up dated my dry fly line to s/a shark wave. I have to get quite a bit of line out till it feels like the rod is throwing the line. Do you think if I would go to a heavier line 7 or 8 it would load quicker? thanks in advance.
Now for my question. I have a Fenwick hmg 8'takes a #6 line ,I know it's over 40yrs old now ,really like the rod.up dated my dry fly line to s/a shark wave. I have to get quite a bit of line out till it feels like the rod is throwing the line. Do you think if I would go to a heavier line 7 or 8 it would load quicker? thanks in advance.
Fenwick hmg
Wbranch on Sep 20, 2018September 20th, 2018, 12:52 pm EDT
For starters you might consider buying a longer rod. What is the recommended line weight marked on the butt of the rod? I used to own a couple Fenwicks and had no trouble throwing a good distance cast with a 9' #6 Fenwick. If you are going to be fishing mostly for trout in the 8" - 15" range I would say anything heavier than a #6 is too much line. How far are you casting when you feel the rod is throwing the line? Are you using double taper or weight forward? It can be hard to get the line to work for you if you are casting shorter distances where the belly of the line is still on the reel. Try making some 40' - 50' casts and see if the line is shooting better.
The SA Wave line typically adds 10' in casting length due to the slickness and pebble finish. Check the guides on the rod. Are there any grooves in them that might be impeding your cast?
The SA Wave line typically adds 10' in casting length due to the slickness and pebble finish. Check the guides on the rod. Are there any grooves in them that might be impeding your cast?
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Lltdeer on Sep 21, 2018September 21st, 2018, 8:43 am EDT
thanks for the help. I don't fish enough to justify buying a new rod, I have a 7' and a 9' glass Fenwick also. The streams we were fishing aren't that wide.it is really a good length. The line that is on the but is #6,I think the line was a wf,It really starts to feel like the rod is working after about 30'.I really like how the line throws .I fished a lot of wet flies in PA and think this rod is a little stiff, until you get about that much line out. It's not really that big of deal. Just thought I'd see what others might think. Thanks.
Fenwick hmg
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