Giant Salmonflies (Pieronarcys californica) - Nymphs
The nymphs of the salmonfly are huge. It doesn’t take many of them to interest the
trout or to get them to feeding selectively on them. When the hatch is on, you can
spot them moving across the bottom of the stream. Like most all stoneflies, the
salmonflies crawl out on the banks and rocks to hatch into adults. Most activity
takes place during the evenings but some hatch during the day, especially if it is
late in the day or early in the morning. Overcast, rainy days usually provides good
nymph fishing but that is not a requirement. Trout can be taken to some extent all
day long on the nymphs, especially during large hatches. Trout get accustomed to
seeing them and feeding on them and seem to accept imitations presented
anytime day or night.
The weight of your imitation is very important. It must be heavy enough to stay on
the bottom. Using added weight helps but the fly itself should be weighted at least
to some extent. Remember the non-toxic rule for the park. You can easily find the
large nymphs by picking up smaller stones on the bottom. They are usually mixed
in with other caddisfly and mayfly nymphs. Although they look like they could bite
you, they don’t. When the salmonflies are hatching, you can always find their
shucks along the banks. If you examine the bushes along the banks of the stream
you will most always be able to find the adults. They live a relatively long time out
of the water and are easy to spot due to their large size. In fact, if the hatch is
prolific the bushes will be loaded with the stoneflies.
The hatch moves upstream sometimes as much as three to five miles a day. This
distance strictly depends on the changes in elevations, weather and the
associated water temperature. If the weather is stable the water temperatures are
usually warmer at lower elevations than higher elevations. As the water warms
upstream, the hatch progresses upstream. Of course a cold front can change
these conditions quickly. Very warm unseasonable weather can speed the hatch
up. Those anglers that have never fished the hatch should certainly try to catch it
one season. It is a spectacular event to behold.
Nymph Presentation:
During the hatch the trout are used to seeing the large nymphs move across the
bottom to the banks. We suggest that you walk along the banks and present the
nymph imitation very close to the bank using very short cast in an upstream
direction. This way you can cover a lot of water without spooking the fish. Make
sure you bring the nymph imitation all the way back to the bank. There isn’t much
need to be casting far out into the stream. Time is spent more productively
presenting the nymph close to the banks where the trout are obviously waiting on
the nymphs to crawl out of the water.
The nymphs of the salmonfly are huge. It doesn’t take many of them to interest the
trout or to get them to feeding selectively on them. When the hatch is on, you can
spot them moving across the bottom of the stream. Like most all stoneflies, the
salmonflies crawl out on the banks and rocks to hatch into adults. Most activity
takes place during the evenings but some hatch during the day, especially if it is
late in the day or early in the morning. Overcast, rainy days usually provides good
nymph fishing but that is not a requirement. Trout can be taken to some extent all
day long on the nymphs, especially during large hatches. Trout get accustomed to
seeing them and feeding on them and seem to accept imitations presented
anytime day or night.
The weight of your imitation is very important. It must be heavy enough to stay on
the bottom. Using added weight helps but the fly itself should be weighted at least
to some extent. Remember the non-toxic rule for the park. You can easily find the
large nymphs by picking up smaller stones on the bottom. They are usually mixed
in with other caddisfly and mayfly nymphs. Although they look like they could bite
you, they don’t. When the salmonflies are hatching, you can always find their
shucks along the banks. If you examine the bushes along the banks of the stream
you will most always be able to find the adults. They live a relatively long time out
of the water and are easy to spot due to their large size. In fact, if the hatch is
prolific the bushes will be loaded with the stoneflies.
The hatch moves upstream sometimes as much as three to five miles a day. This
distance strictly depends on the changes in elevations, weather and the
associated water temperature. If the weather is stable the water temperatures are
usually warmer at lower elevations than higher elevations. As the water warms
upstream, the hatch progresses upstream. Of course a cold front can change
these conditions quickly. Very warm unseasonable weather can speed the hatch
up. Those anglers that have never fished the hatch should certainly try to catch it
one season. It is a spectacular event to behold.
Nymph Presentation:
During the hatch the trout are used to seeing the large nymphs move across the
bottom to the banks. We suggest that you walk along the banks and present the
nymph imitation very close to the bank using very short cast in an upstream
direction. This way you can cover a lot of water without spooking the fish. Make
sure you bring the nymph imitation all the way back to the bank. There isn’t much
need to be casting far out into the stream. Time is spent more productively
presenting the nymph close to the banks where the trout are obviously waiting on
the nymphs to crawl out of the water.
Copyright 2008 James Marsh
Free Shipping Continental U. S.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |