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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Martinlf on Jun 27, 2020June 27th, 2020, 3:42 pm EDT
Perhaps Lee can help with this one. I seem to recall he had something to say about blue quills a few years back. Around noon on a small Central Pennsylvania spring creek I found clouds of what I'm relatively sure were blue quill spinners. It would have been heaven to have been there when they fell--if they fell on the water. Does anyone know about these spinners? The time of day they tend to drop, for example, and how to fish them?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Taxon on Jun 27, 2020June 27th, 2020, 4:31 pm EDT
Hi Louis-
I would expect the spinner fall to occur in the evening as darkness approaches. Incidentally, Paraleptophlebia mollis was re-classfied as Neoleptophlebia mollis some years ago.
I would expect the spinner fall to occur in the evening as darkness approaches. Incidentally, Paraleptophlebia mollis was re-classfied as Neoleptophlebia mollis some years ago.
Martinlf on Jun 28, 2020June 28th, 2020, 10:53 am EDT
Thanks, Roger!!
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
Wiflyfisher on Jun 29, 2020June 29th, 2020, 10:28 pm EDT
Louis,
Did you notice any females with egg sacks? I ask that because at times I have noticed on occasion swarming male spinners and no females. My guess is they are just excited and practicing for the big event.
Also, as i am sure you already know, dark cloudy weather can trigger a spinner fall.
Did you notice any females with egg sacks? I ask that because at times I have noticed on occasion swarming male spinners and no females. My guess is they are just excited and practicing for the big event.
Also, as i am sure you already know, dark cloudy weather can trigger a spinner fall.
John S.
https://WiFlyFisher.com
https://WiFlyFisher.com
Martinlf on Jun 30, 2020June 30th, 2020, 3:53 am EDT
John, I didn't get a close look at them. This spinner fall seems to be somewhat of a mystery. I've read and asked buddies about it, getting a variety of answers, but nobody seems to have figured it out for sure. I've heard that at least some of the spinners return to and fall on land. Part of the issue may be that the hatch comes in the summer, when many are either not fishing much, or primarily early, looking for cooled water or Tricos. There were just so many bugs, though, it made me want to figure out when and if they hit the water. I may head back up to the stream in the late afternoon to wait out the bugs and see if they fall in the evening. If the hatch is still going on. I may have just hit a peak day, and not find any bugs when I get back. Any experiences anyone has had, or knows about would be welcome.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
--Fred Chappell
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