Troutnut Forum > Fly Hatch Talk > Salmonfly question for you westerners
This topic is about the Stonefly Species Pteronarcys californica
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. Read more...
The Discussion
| Troutnut | July 30th, 2006, 6:04 pm | |
| Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1113 | 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. | |
| Jason Neuswanger The Troutnut | ||
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| Jim40 | April 5th, 2007, 5:03 am | |
| BC Posts: 1 | Hi Jason, Salmon flies in my part of the world, southern BC, emerge generally in April and provide excellent sport for a relatively brief time. I've written a little bit about them on my website. Although my photos are archaic compared to yours, you can check out my article on salmon flies, pteronarcys californica, at www.fly-fishing-british-columbia.com and click on entomology. Great site, Jim | |
| Rstrouts | June 2nd, 2007, 2:48 pm | |
| Posts: 1 | Here in Colorado, the Salmonfly hatch occurs on the Colorado River starting in late May for 2-3 weeks after runoff has begun (starts around the first or second week of May) at elevations of 7600 feet (Parshall) and a bit higher. The females are bigger (around 2") than the males (around 1 1/2") and have a black egg sack. They fly in varying numbers during the day when the water temperature is in the early to mid 50's and are most active from around duske to dawn. I have seen them mating and holding onto the willows/grass/etc at or near shore as the willows are in their budding stage. Although awkward, if they fall into the water, probably as the female bombardiers her eggs from the air (as seen in "Big Sky Bears" on Animal Planet or Discovery Channel), I have seen them make their way back to shore. I have also seen them ole trouties snatch them as they flop towards shore. Trout really key in on those flop flop flopping wings! Put an imitation fly next to a natural moving downstream and they take the natural every time because of the flopping wing motion! Although I understand them to lay eggs while in the water, I have not seen this (nor have I personally seen them drop eggs from the air, just on the tv show). | |
| Invicta | June 3rd, 2007, 10:01 pm | |
| Tulare, CA Posts: 23 | Jason, I agree with everyone's comments. I would only add that at those times I have been fortunate enough to be in a location having a good population of fish, and good water flow, the nymph fishing during the last two weeks leading up the salmon fly hatch has consistently produced the best fly fishing for me over the years. During that time the mature nymphs are migrating towards shore and the trout know it. John | |
| Aaron7_8 | April 25th, 2008, 8:43 pm | |
| Helena Montana Posts: 6 | I would agree with Invicta last summer I was fishing/camping Rock Creek in June, and the salmon fly were so thick after a thunderstorm I thought it was snow. However the fish were so full of nymphs that it was rare to see a rise out of the fish. | |
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