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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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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.
Kschaefer3 on Jun 5, 2019June 5th, 2019, 8:00 am EDT
Hi All,
It's been a long time since I've posted. Hope everyone is doing well and fishing lots.
I recently bought a Sage Graphite II LL. Been trying to find a Graphite II LL for a long time, and this is the first I've seen. To that end, if anyone has any Graphite II or III LLs they wish to part with, I'd be happy to pay a fair price to take them off your hands :). And, thanks to crepuscular for selling me his 486 and starting a bad (good?) run of buying used rods.
On to the real reason for posting though. Most my 5 wts are modern, fast action graphite rods. Given this, I'm using the standard half line weight heavy lines that pair with them. Does anyone own a 581 LL? If so, would you be able to assist with line selection? I know older, slower, rods tend to be a bit more line picky, so trying to determine what to get for it.
Appreciate any help.
It's been a long time since I've posted. Hope everyone is doing well and fishing lots.
I recently bought a Sage Graphite II LL. Been trying to find a Graphite II LL for a long time, and this is the first I've seen. To that end, if anyone has any Graphite II or III LLs they wish to part with, I'd be happy to pay a fair price to take them off your hands :). And, thanks to crepuscular for selling me his 486 and starting a bad (good?) run of buying used rods.
On to the real reason for posting though. Most my 5 wts are modern, fast action graphite rods. Given this, I'm using the standard half line weight heavy lines that pair with them. Does anyone own a 581 LL? If so, would you be able to assist with line selection? I know older, slower, rods tend to be a bit more line picky, so trying to determine what to get for it.
Appreciate any help.
Wbranch on Jun 9, 2019June 9th, 2019, 9:32 am EDT
Hi Kyle,
So you are embracing old school graphite. I have owned at least six Sage LL rods. I built five of them and still have one 9' #4 2 piece LL. I sold my custom 8' 9" #3 2 piece for $500. I also had a #4, #5, and #6 3 piece LL with blackened nickle silver reel seat hardware and exotic wood barrels that I built from blanks and ultimately sold for faster graphite rods.
I have very little sentimentality about fly rods. I've owned cane rods from Leonard, Orvis, Thomas, and Gillum and they have all been sold because they are too heavy and too fragile for the size of trout and steelhead I catch. I have kept one 7.6' #5 Carpenter rod that I use for 2 - 3 days a year on the Henrickson hatch on the Yellow Breeches in PA and I've saved, but not fished, that Sage 9' #4 LL for at least 25 years. It is still in perfect condition. I told my wife I want it to be put into the furnace when I get cremated and spread my ashes in the Delaware.
So you are embracing old school graphite. I have owned at least six Sage LL rods. I built five of them and still have one 9' #4 2 piece LL. I sold my custom 8' 9" #3 2 piece for $500. I also had a #4, #5, and #6 3 piece LL with blackened nickle silver reel seat hardware and exotic wood barrels that I built from blanks and ultimately sold for faster graphite rods.
I have very little sentimentality about fly rods. I've owned cane rods from Leonard, Orvis, Thomas, and Gillum and they have all been sold because they are too heavy and too fragile for the size of trout and steelhead I catch. I have kept one 7.6' #5 Carpenter rod that I use for 2 - 3 days a year on the Henrickson hatch on the Yellow Breeches in PA and I've saved, but not fished, that Sage 9' #4 LL for at least 25 years. It is still in perfect condition. I told my wife I want it to be put into the furnace when I get cremated and spread my ashes in the Delaware.
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Kschaefer3 on Jun 21, 2019June 21st, 2019, 3:09 am EDT
Matt,
I am! I was always fond of casting. When I splurged on my Sage One, I thought it didn't get any better. While I still like my newer, faster graphite rods a lot, I've come to enjoy casting a variety of different rods, and it's hard to beat the feel of the older ones. I find myself becoming a better caster the more different rods I cast.
You must have SOME sentimentality about rods if you haven't fished that one and want to be burned with it!
Good to hear from you. Hope you're doing well and still fishing a good amount.
Cheers,
Kyle
I am! I was always fond of casting. When I splurged on my Sage One, I thought it didn't get any better. While I still like my newer, faster graphite rods a lot, I've come to enjoy casting a variety of different rods, and it's hard to beat the feel of the older ones. I find myself becoming a better caster the more different rods I cast.
You must have SOME sentimentality about rods if you haven't fished that one and want to be burned with it!
Good to hear from you. Hope you're doing well and still fishing a good amount.
Cheers,
Kyle
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