» Species californica (Giant Salmonfly)
Common Names
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 & WhenRegion: West
Time Of Year (?): June and July
Altitude: Below 7,000 feet
Hatching BehaviorThe 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 BehaviorThe 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 BiologyPteronarcys 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 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. Recent Discussions of Pteronarcys californica
Salmonfly question for you westerners 6 Replies »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
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.
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