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...

Male Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult (1 Pictures)

Pteronarcys californica (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph (2 Pictures)

The Discussion

Post Reply

Troutnut	July 30th, 2006, 3:04 pm
The Admin Fairbanks, AK Posts: 2020	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

Jim40	April 5th, 2007, 2:03 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, 11:48 am
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, 7:01 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, 5:43 pm
Helena Montana Posts: 112	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.

Willamette	February 18th, 2009, 9:06 am
Posts: 1	Here in Western Oregon the Salmon Fly hatch occurs quite a bit earlier than some of the higher altitude waters. I saw my first salmon fly of 2009 yesterday (2-17). Typically I see salmon flies through April with the majority of activity going on in March. These observations are from the upper willamette drainage (Mckenzie and Middle Fork Willamette rivers). The hatch here is much less pronounced than those on the east side of the Cascades and is not heavily fished. That said fish do take these bugs. I have also noticed that these West-Cascades salmonflies are typically very large, that is, larger than those on Eastern Oregon Streams.

Aaron7_8	February 21st, 2009, 7:51 am
Helena Montana Posts: 112	It also depends on if it is just salmon flies you are looking for. In the waters I fish they have three different fishable stone fly hatches. The skwala hatch which are real dark colored to alomost an olive under belly usually about an inch long these come off first. Then we have the salmon fly which usually come off about the time of heaviest runoff, depending on the year. Then the golden stone that come off about the end of the salmon fly hatch and goes for three to four weeks after.

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:

Related Discussions

Title	Replies	Last Reply
Re: Big Bugs In the Photography Board by DayTripper	8	Jun 11, 2008 by DayTripper
Re: Callibaetis Spinner Habits In the Mayfly Species Callibaetis ferrugineus by WildcatRob	8	Jan 7, 2009 by Dgracia
Re: Caddis ID Q? In the Identify This! Board by Greenghost	5	Apr 18, 2009 by GONZO
Re: salmon In General Discussion by Trtklr	2	Nov 18, 2008 by Trtklr
Re: Nymphs "migrating" toward shore In General Discussion by Troutnut	8	Aug 18, 2006 by Upnorth2
Re: an old friend In General Discussion by CaseyP	13	Jul 12, 2010 by Shawnny3
Re: Lepto question In the Mayfly Family Leptophlebiidae by JasonM	1	Mar 7, 2010 by Taxon
Re: Advice for fishing Spring Creek and Cedar Run Pennsylvania In General Discussion by Carmen	2	Mar 24, 2011 by CaseyP
Re: High Water In the Stonefly Species Pteronarcys californica by Dbar	5	Apr 20, 2007 by Riverratben
Re: IL Forest Preserve Trout In General Discussion by Mdturek	2	Apr 21, 2009 by Mdturek

Troutnut Forum > Fly Hatch Talk > Salmonfly question for you westerners

This topic is about the Stonefly Species Pteronarcys californica

The Discussion

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Troutnut Forum
>
Fly Hatch Talk
> Salmonfly question for you westerners