Salmon fly patterns (not to be confused with flies for Atlantic Salmon) are an important collection of artificial flies used by fly anglers to imitate nymphal and adult forms of Pteronarcys californica a giant stonefly or salmon fly. Salmon flies are common in high gradient, freestone rivers and streams from Western Canada throughout the Western U.S. to Mexico in the Rocky Mountains and coastal mountain ranges. Nymphs live for three to five years before adult emergence which typically occurs in late Spring or early summer.[1] The long lifespan of the nymphal form provides year-round angling opportunities for fly anglers.

Salmon fly (Pteronarcys californica) Life Stages
  • Nymph
    Nymph
  • Emerging Adult
    Emerging Adult
  • Adult
    Adult
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (December 2021)

Adult imitative patterns

As described in Flies for Trout (1993), Dick Stewart & Farrow Allen[2]

As described in Trout Country Flies (2002), Bruce Staples[3]

As described in Yellowstone Country Flies (2013), Walter J. Wiese[4]

Adult Salmon fly Imitative Patterns
  • Sofa Pillow
    Sofa Pillow
  • Fluttering Stone
    Fluttering Stone
  • Foam Stone
    Foam Stone
  • Prom Queen
    Prom Queen
  • Parks’ Salmon Fly
    Parks’ Salmon Fly
  • Bunyan Bug
    Bunyan Bug
  • Henry's Fork Salmonfly
    Henry's Fork Salmonfly

Adult attractor patterns

As described in Flies for Trout (1993), Dick Stewart & Farrow Allen[2]

As described in Trout Country Flies (2002), Bruce Staples[3]

Adult Salmon fly Attractor Patterns
  • Bloody Butcher
    Bloody Butcher

Nymph patterns

As described in Flies for Trout (1993), Dick Stewart & Farrow Allen[2]

As described in Trout Country Flies (2002), Bruce Staples[3]

As described in Yellowstone Country Flies (2013), Walter J. Wiese[4]

As described in Fly Patterns-Tie Thousands of Flies (2008), Randall and Mary Kaufmann[5]

Salmon fly Nymph Patterns
  • Brooks Montana Stone
    Brooks Montana Stone
  • Minch's Black Stonefly Nymph
    Minch's Black Stonefly Nymph
  • Kaufmann Black Stone
    Kaufmann Black Stone
  • Rubber Legs
    Rubber Legs
  • Montana Nymph
    Montana Nymph
  • Box Canyon Stone
    Box Canyon Stone
  • Bitch Creek Nymph
    Bitch Creek Nymph

Notes

  1. ^ Elder, J. A. and Gaufin, A. R. (1973). "Notes on the occurrence and distribution of Pteronarcys californica Newport (Plecoptera) within streams". Great Basin Naturalist. 33: 218–220.((cite journal)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Stewart, Dick; Allen, Farrow (1993). Flies for Trout. North Conway, NH: Mountain Pond Publishing. ISBN 0936644141.
  3. ^ a b c Staples, Bruce (2002). Trout Country Flies - From Greater Yellowstone Area Masters. Portland, OR: Frank Amato Publications. ISBN 1571882480.
  4. ^ a b Wiese, Walter J. (2013). Yellowstone Country Flies-The Fly Patterns of Parks' Fly Shop. Gardiner, MT: Walter J. Wiese.
  5. ^ Kaufmann, Randall; Kaufmann, Mary (2008). Fly Patterns-Tie Thousands of Flies. Moose, WY: Western Fisherman Press. pp. 28–129. ISBN 9781885212238.
Category