Paleo Foraging

Pteronarcys californica Newport

The California salmon fly

The adults were gathered by the Modoc, Wintu, and Pit River Indians in great quantities in early summer (or a few days in April for the Wintu) on the Pit River and its tributaries (Essig 1931, Du Bois 1935, Sutton 1985) and possibly other river systems where they occur (Jewett 1960).

Gathering technique:

A log boom was fastened across the river and upstream the flies were beaten or shook off of bushes into the water which carried them down to the log boom where they lodged in great masses and were collected in baskets (Essig 1931). These flies could also be scooped up in large amounts from small streams or the river’s edge where they collected on bushes, trees, and rocks during the morning when it was too cold for them to fly (Essig 1931, Du Bois 1935, Sutton 1985).

Preparation:

The flies were roasted with hot rocks in an earthen pit and were ground or were crushed, made into loaves, and baked in oven of hot stones to be eaten over the winter (Essig 1931, Sutton 1985). They were boiled by the Wintu (who considered them a great delicacy), and if plentiful, dried for the winter (Du Bois 1935). The nymphs of this species were also eaten by California Indians (Heizer and Elsasser 1980).

More of the 101 species occurring in California (Jewett 1960) may have been eaten as well.