Salmonfly Adult

The Salmonfly is a giant stonefly found in the Western states and indeed, it provides one of the most famous hatches in the West. Both the adults and nymphs can be up to three inches long and the nymphs live from two to four years providing huge meals for the trout. Indeed, they can be a major part of the trout’s diet. The hatches are abundant and can be found in most of the fast water streams of the West. The Salmonfly hatch starts in the lower elevations and moves upstream at three to five miles per day depending on the weather and water temperature. Anglers who have never fished a Stonefly hatch are missing a spectacular event.

The Salmonfly will lay eggs in the daytime or in the evenings. When you observe the large Salmonflies depositing their eggs there is no mistake. Cast your fly in the fast water of the runs and riffles and the trout will eagerly take them even if the fly is submerged. If the stonefly is fluttering above the water, the wings will be outstretched, but if they have fallen into the water the wings will be in a spent position, either way, they provide a good meal for the trout.

When viewed from above, the Salmonfly will appear brown and the only salmon color is a small area around the neck of the fly. When they are hatching, their shucks can be found along the banks. Also, look around the bushes and you can almost always see the giant flies in the bushes since they live a long time and are easily seen. The nymphs are easier for the trout to eat, but a huge number of the nymphs escape and hatch into adults.

The females usually don't start depositing their eggs until a few days after the hatch starts. After seeing a huge number of adults and they do not succumb to your adult imitation, consider the fact that the trout may be full of the stonefly nymphs and will not begin to actively feed for a while. In this event, move a few miles downstream where the hatch may have started earlier or wait a day or two to try again. Be patient as in time the trout will begin to take them.