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Thread: "Monster Bug"....new one for me

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    San Andreas, Calif.
    Posts
    196

    Default "Monster Bug"....new one for me

    This past week I was fishing a high mountain lake and encountered the oddest bug I have ever seen, or encountered in 60 years of dry fly fishing. It was 1" long, with long, semi clear wings. It had a thin, olive body, with black ribbing like a bee. No tail.
    The odd thing was that it had a long, thin, black neck, almost 1/4" long, with a big black head.

    Fortunately, I was able to modify an extended body, olive mayfly, almost as large as a callibaetis, and clip the tail, and make it work.
    Once I clipped the tail the rainbows ate it eagerly.

    After doing a search, I determined that the bug was a "Snakefly". I will certainly have a few of these tied up, for my next trip!

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakefly

    I would be curious to find out if others of you have encountered this "monster" bug.

    Note: When I plucked the bug from the water, grabbing it by the wings, it actually turned its head and tried to bite me. No joke.

    That's my story, strange as it may be.

    Cheers,
    $.02
    Lee Haskin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    The OV
    Posts
    493

    Default

    That had to have been what I’ve always known as a dobsonfly- it’s what hellgrammites hatch into. Predatory, mean SOB’s - saw one back in New Hampshire nice that had a body that was over 3” long. Glad they exist in relatively small numbers or they would take over the world.

    After looking at your link, they’re similar but not the same thing. Both nasty buggers, though.
    Last edited by hwchubb; 07-15-2022 at 10:38 AM. Reason: Update

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Petaluma Ca
    Posts
    696

    Default

    Yes Lee,
    We have run across a few here and there. Only singles, so we took no real interest in them, except for their interesting aggressive nature.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Dunsmuir,CA
    Posts
    191

    Default "Monster Bug"

    Ya, I have seen this bug occasionally in my neck of the woods (No. CA.) but never in a situation where I would think to fish them. Usually just a one off.
    Steven Bertrand
    Fly Fishing Guide Service
    6216 Scherrer Ave
    Dunsmuir CA 96025
    (530) 235-4948
    FlyfishingGuide@Juno.com
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCloud_River
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_River

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    My own planet...no doubt.
    Posts
    1,164

    Default

    Say hey Lee,
    OK you peeked my interest with that thing. When I looked it up I saw the description mentioned "Jurassic." As Jeff Goldblum said "chaos happens!" Cue the T-Rex roar and the soundtrack!!!!
    Love the challenge...What try? No try. Just do!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Fresno
    Posts
    191

    Default

    Hey Ken did you wake up. First post in a long time
    Jay Murakoshi

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