Salmon fly patterns explained

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.

Adult attractor patterns

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

• Stimulator

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

• Abbey
• Dry Muddler
• Madam X
• Bloody Butcher

Notes and References

1. Notes on the occurrence and distribution of Pteronarcys californica Newport (Plecoptera) within streams. . Elder, J. A. and Gaufin, A. R. . 1973 . Great Basin Naturalist . 33 . 218–220.