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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Wbranch on Feb 5, 2019February 5th, 2019, 8:54 am EST
Well I some great news today. I visited the orthopedic surgeon who was going to perform the right hip replacement on February 25. I hadn't seen him since mid August 2018 when the pain was excruciating. But by September 01 the pain was completely gone. Not one iota of pain and not taking any pain meds.
So when I told him that today he said "Well then since there is no pain there is no reason to put a 75 year old man under general anesthesia to perform an operation that appears to be unwarranted at this time". Hallelujah! He told me that it is conceivable that I won't ever need the surgery but to keep my eyes on the symptoms and as soon as I start to feel any pain and discomfort again it would be time to really have the surgery.
Now I won't be anxious about it any longer and won't be missing the spring steelhead run at the Erie creeks. Am I ecstatic? You bet I am.
So when I told him that today he said "Well then since there is no pain there is no reason to put a 75 year old man under general anesthesia to perform an operation that appears to be unwarranted at this time". Hallelujah! He told me that it is conceivable that I won't ever need the surgery but to keep my eyes on the symptoms and as soon as I start to feel any pain and discomfort again it would be time to really have the surgery.
Now I won't be anxious about it any longer and won't be missing the spring steelhead run at the Erie creeks. Am I ecstatic? You bet I am.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Partsman on Feb 5, 2019February 5th, 2019, 12:36 pm EST
Great news Matt, I hope that this is the end hip issues for you, and that you can enjoy fishing pain free although being careful not to get to crazy. Hopefully spring is not to far off and we can get back at doing the thing we here on this web site love doing.
Mike.
Mike.
Jmd123 on Feb 6, 2019February 6th, 2019, 2:53 am EST
CONGRATS Matt!!! Never go under the knife unless you have to! And glad you are pain-free, I've become convinced that aging is all about finding the right pain relief...hope your upcoming fishing season is outstanding!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Wbranch on Feb 6, 2019February 6th, 2019, 9:55 am EST
Thanks Jon, When I heard him say the surgery was no longer necessary I was elated!
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Martinlf on Feb 6, 2019February 6th, 2019, 11:13 am EST
Glad to hear it, Matt. I have arthritis in my back, and the pain comes and goes, sometimes giving me remission for years. It's a mystery to me, but I'm always so happy it when it goes away. I hope yours stays gone for good.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Iasgair on Feb 11, 2019February 11th, 2019, 10:21 am EST
That's awesome news Matt. Anytime someone heals or gets cured miraculously is fantastic. I really hope you stay pain free.
Wbranch on Feb 13, 2019February 13th, 2019, 6:59 am EST
Iasgair,
I consider the cure quite miraculous. Thank you for the sentiments. The surgeon told me not to "be a hero". Meaning it the pain does resurface I shouldn't try to hide it or dose up with pain killers. He said if the pain does come back, and doesn't go away, then I have to have the hip replacement. But he also said I may go another ten years pain free. I'll be 85 by then! Hope I am still vertical.
I really hope you stay pain free.
I consider the cure quite miraculous. Thank you for the sentiments. The surgeon told me not to "be a hero". Meaning it the pain does resurface I shouldn't try to hide it or dose up with pain killers. He said if the pain does come back, and doesn't go away, then I have to have the hip replacement. But he also said I may go another ten years pain free. I'll be 85 by then! Hope I am still vertical.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Partsman on Feb 14, 2019February 14th, 2019, 10:36 am EST
Matt, Im pretty sure a tough old dude like you will be around for good long while, and that's a good thing because we need you here!
Mike.
Mike.
Wbranch on Feb 17, 2019February 17th, 2019, 12:21 am EST
Good morning Mike,
I hope so! I saw my PCP on Friday and he said "Matt your are looking good and in very good health". About a year ago he told me, based on the lack of typical aging diseases, I'd likely live into my mid 90's. I attribute that to the peace, tranquility, and pleasure sixty years of fly fishing have provided me.
you will be around for good long while, and that's a good thing because we need you here!
I hope so! I saw my PCP on Friday and he said "Matt your are looking good and in very good health". About a year ago he told me, based on the lack of typical aging diseases, I'd likely live into my mid 90's. I attribute that to the peace, tranquility, and pleasure sixty years of fly fishing have provided me.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Jmd123 on Feb 19, 2019February 19th, 2019, 1:24 am EST
Outstanding, excellent, most wonderful!!!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Wbranch on Feb 19, 2019February 19th, 2019, 2:26 pm EST
Jon,
Yep, it is just awesome! A huge load was lifted off my mind when the surgeon told me and my wife the surgery, at this time, was not necessary. He said I might go through the remainder of my life not needing it. He did say that the severe pain I was experiencing from mid July 2018 to mid August was in all likelihood unrelated to the AVN (Avascular Necrosis) of my right hip. He said the pain would not of gone away if it was AVN but would of stayed and intensified. He said most probably the pain was a resultant of me walking so much over uneven terrain day after day for almost two weeks. After I got home and was walking less due to the pain and taking Tramadol the injury was reduced and pretty much healed on it's own just like a sprain or backache will get better with rest.
Outstanding, excellent, most wonderful!!!
Yep, it is just awesome! A huge load was lifted off my mind when the surgeon told me and my wife the surgery, at this time, was not necessary. He said I might go through the remainder of my life not needing it. He did say that the severe pain I was experiencing from mid July 2018 to mid August was in all likelihood unrelated to the AVN (Avascular Necrosis) of my right hip. He said the pain would not of gone away if it was AVN but would of stayed and intensified. He said most probably the pain was a resultant of me walking so much over uneven terrain day after day for almost two weeks. After I got home and was walking less due to the pain and taking Tramadol the injury was reduced and pretty much healed on it's own just like a sprain or backache will get better with rest.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Jmd123 on Feb 20, 2019February 20th, 2019, 12:52 am EST
"... taking Tramadol..." My late father's favorite painkiller...one night about 1:15 in the a.m. after surgery for a growth on his kidney, my father called me from his hospital bed to "come get me, I feel just fine!" and short of that, bring him his Tramadol. "They won't give me my Ultram, it's in the drawer in the bedside table, bring me some!" This while he has an IV sticking in his arm after having a baseball-sized tumor plucked off the top of his kidney. His male nurse and I had a pretty good laugh after he knocked Dad out cold with a shot of Versed in said IV drip...R.I.P., sweet old man...
Congrats again on avoiding The Knife! May you have many more years of maximum fishing and minimal pain.
Jonathon
Congrats again on avoiding The Knife! May you have many more years of maximum fishing and minimal pain.
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Wbranch on Feb 20, 2019February 20th, 2019, 10:22 pm EST
Tramadol is now considered a Class 1 drug in PA and getting a prescription filled is difficult. You must present a hand written prescription from the administering doctor and he needs to verify it by calling in and providing his special number. It is a very good pain killer and I never got addicted to them. Probably because I did have a level 9 pain for weeks and it did what it is designed to do; trick the pain receptors in my brain.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Jmd123 on Feb 21, 2019February 21st, 2019, 1:48 am EST
If you take pain killers strictly for pain, you don't get addicted. It's when you start using them to kill psychological pain that you become a "junkie". I could never get addicted to any opiates because of their nauseating, constipating side effects, and they make me dopey too so how do I get anything done while on them? I generally take 4 ibuprofen, smoke a little plant that is now legal for recreational consumption in Michigan (hence I no longer hesitate to discuss it!), and get in a bathtub full of water, as hot as I can stand it, up to my chin and ears. That will kill 90% of my aches and pains, with no prescription necessary.
Jonathon
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
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