Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana

Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Looking across Island Lake toward the Titcomb Basin—one of the popular crown jewels of the Wind River Mountains

From Island Lake in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

6 Recently Added Photos

27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.

Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Giant Water Scavenger Beetles

This common name refers to only one family. Click its scientific name to learn more.

Beetle Family Hydrophilidae

These are often called Giant Water Scavenger Beetles.

These are a common sight on most trout streams, especially in the calm backwaters. They aren't regarded as significant to trout, although I have found them in occasional stomach samples.

Hydrophilidae (Giant Water Scavenger Beetle) Beetle Adult

2 Pictures

This is a water beetle. It is the hardest object in the world to pick up with tweezers. The second hardest is Mount Everest.

Collected January 12, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected January 12, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006