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Stonefly Species Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly)

Taxonomic Navigation -?-
» Species californica (Giant Salmonfly)
Common Names
MatchCommon Name
****Giant Salmonfly
***Salmonfly
Pictures Below ↓
This is the West's most legendary hatch. Anglers race to the streams to catch large trout surface feeding on large insects, a mania like that for Hexagenia limbata mayflies in the Midwest. This is the very largest species of all mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, up to 2.5 inches long.

Like the other very large insects, its hatches are especially hit-or-miss events. When hit, they are extraordinary. The hatch progresses upriver quickly, providing good fishing on a single stretch for a few days at best.

Cloudy days improve the odds of a good Salmonfly hatch.  

Where & When


Region: West

Time Of Year (?): June and July

Altitude: Below 7,000 feet

Hatching Behavior


The nymphs become especially active at dawn and dusk in the days before they crawl out to emerge, and imitations work well at those times.

Egg-Laying Behavior


The egg-laying females make a great deal of commotion and imitations should be fished accordingly. Slap them down with a splat and twitch them around like you would a grasshopper pattern.

Nymph Biology


Pteronarcys californica nymphs live for three years as nymphs before emerging.

Pictures of 2 Stonefly Specimens in the Species Pteronarcys californica:

Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly NymphPteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph View 2 PicturesHere are two size classes of Pteronarcys nymphs. These probably represent two different generations. The largest will probably emerge next spring and the other in two years. There is probably another generation, smaller, I did not collect. In a Canadian study they discovered Pteronarcys eggs do not all hatch simultaneously but hatch for a period of nearly two years, making their egg/nymphal life 5 years. The other photo is of a curled nymph, a typical response to disturbance.
Collected August 10, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington
Added to Troutnut.com by Bnewell on August 10, 2011
Male Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly AdultMale Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult View 1 PicturesThis shows the adult and its exuviae.
Collected May 1, 2007 from the Jocko River in Montana
Added to Troutnut.com by Bnewell on June 26, 2011

Recent Discussions of Pteronarcys californica

Salmonfly question for you westerners 6 Replies »
Posted by Troutnut on Jul 30, 2006
Last reply on Feb 21, 2009 by Aaron7_8
I don't have many reliable sources about this species, so it'd be great if you western fishermen could read over the article and make sure I haven't said anything stupid or omitted anything important. I'll be happy to incorporate any additions you have.
ReplyHigh Water 5 Replies »
Posted by Dbar on Apr 13, 2007
Last reply on Apr 20, 2007 by Riverratben
The hatch often occurs during high water (just after peak) so you sometimes have limited visibility during the hatch. Also - I believe that they can occur above 7000 feet.

Love ths site.
Reply

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