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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It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.
The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.
Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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Iasgair on Jan 1, 2019January 1st, 2019, 2:23 pm EST
The only place I know that sells Magpie is Whitetail Fly Tieing, and they are sold out.
Does anyone know another shop that carries magpie?
Does anyone know another shop that carries magpie?
Martinlf on Jan 1, 2019January 1st, 2019, 2:34 pm EST
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Iasgair on Jan 2, 2019January 2nd, 2019, 11:17 am EST
Thanks Martin. That's going to be the place I think. It's a little inconvenient because I have to contact my credit card company and tell them I'm purchasing items from there, but I have done it before.
I was just hoping there would be someplace here.
Why is it when it comes to items like this, they are so difficult to find in this country?
I was just hoping there would be someplace here.
Why is it when it comes to items like this, they are so difficult to find in this country?
Wbranch on Jan 2, 2019January 2nd, 2019, 10:59 pm EST
Are they a protected bird? They are everywhere in Montana. Have a friend with an air rifle shoot one for you.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Creno on Jan 3, 2019January 3rd, 2019, 9:26 am EST
Most non-game birds are protected in the US.
https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php
https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php
Wbranch on Jan 3, 2019January 3rd, 2019, 11:51 am EST
It is a good thing because in many European countries "hunters" and I use the term loosely, are killing song birds to the point of near extinction.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/26/conservationists-appalled-at-illegal-killing-of-25m-birds-a-year-in-the-mediterranean
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/26/conservationists-appalled-at-illegal-killing-of-25m-birds-a-year-in-the-mediterranean
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf on Jan 3, 2019January 3rd, 2019, 1:20 pm EST
Yeah, with the exception of non-native, invasive, English/house sparrows and starlings, I believe all other eastern birds that are not designated as game birds are protected by federal law. I don't know if there are other invasive species out west that are also not protected. But I believe magpies would be. I wonder if starling would make an acceptable substitute? I've shot several of those and skinned them out.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
NedZeppelin on Jan 11, 2019January 11th, 2019, 9:29 pm EST
I acquired the tail feathers from England, but had a helpful fellow also send me one from Montana. I am new to North Country spiders, but vowed at the end of last season that I had just about had it with purple squiggly worms and dredging beadhead and heavily weighted nymphs through runs while staring at a thingamabobber. No more. So this year it is spiders only, you can fish them dry, wet and if on a heavy hook, get them into the deeper water. Body count is not everything.
But back to the herl. I believe only the tail feathers are the source and you wrap the fiber just like peacock herl. I don’t think starling is a substitute. Acquiring materials to tie these flies is somewhat daunting, especially since I arrive at this new found passion after Pearsalls gossamer is made no more, and existing stocks at merchants are dwindling and pricey.
But back to the herl. I believe only the tail feathers are the source and you wrap the fiber just like peacock herl. I don’t think starling is a substitute. Acquiring materials to tie these flies is somewhat daunting, especially since I arrive at this new found passion after Pearsalls gossamer is made no more, and existing stocks at merchants are dwindling and pricey.
Martinlf on Jan 12, 2019January 12th, 2019, 6:41 am EST
Sorry to hear about Pearsall's gossamer. Silk thread can be found many places, though, in many colors.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Iasgair on Jan 17, 2019January 17th, 2019, 2:58 pm EST
Thanks guys. I was wondering if non game birds were protected in the U.S..
Maybe if I'm lucky I'll run one over while it's having road kill for lunch.
It's a sad thing about Pearsalls silk. There's a company in France that is making silk thread, but can't remember the name of it. Semperfli has now the nano silk, which I think I will be trying out soon. They are trying very hard to match the colors in Harfield H. Edmonds book "Brook and River Trouting".
And from what I have seen, they are doing a fine job at it.
Maybe if I'm lucky I'll run one over while it's having road kill for lunch.
It's a sad thing about Pearsalls silk. There's a company in France that is making silk thread, but can't remember the name of it. Semperfli has now the nano silk, which I think I will be trying out soon. They are trying very hard to match the colors in Harfield H. Edmonds book "Brook and River Trouting".
And from what I have seen, they are doing a fine job at it.
Wbranch on Jan 17, 2019January 17th, 2019, 3:48 pm EST
I looked it up and there are a number of unprotected US birds. Starlings and English sparrows are unprotected and you can kill them. However you might want to check with your states hunting regulations to see if you would need a hunting license.
https://www.jcehrlich.com/blog/3-non-native-birds-that-are-not-federally-protected]
https://www.jcehrlich.com/blog/3-non-native-birds-that-are-not-federally-protected]
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Iasgair on Jan 28, 2019January 28th, 2019, 2:09 am EST
Good to know Matt, thank you.
Yep, just checked for protected migratory birds and Magpie is on the list. I can't even pick up feather and use it.
Yep, just checked for protected migratory birds and Magpie is on the list. I can't even pick up feather and use it.
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