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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.

Dorsal view of a Zapada cinctipes (Nemouridae) (Tiny Winter Black) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Nymphs of this species were fairly common in late-winter kick net samples from the upper Yakima River. Although I could not find a key to species of Zapada nymphs, a revision of the Nemouridae family by Baumann (1975) includes the following helpful sentence: "2 cervical gills on each side of midline, 1 arising inside and 1 outside of lateral cervical sclerites, usually single and elongate, sometimes constricted but with 3 or 4 branches arising beyond gill base in Zapada cinctipes." This specimen clearly has the branches and is within the range of that species.
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.
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Troutnut.com User Dano (Dan Jennings)

Troutnut.com User Dano (Dan Jennings)

Real Name
Dan Jennings
Location
Vanderbilt, Michigan
Biography & Thoughts
I consider the lower Little Manistee River to be my "home stream". Other waters frequently fished are the Au Sable, Boardman River, Jordan River, upper Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, and the Pigeon River.

My basic thoughts on angling are that whatever method one uses, they are still a part of the angling fraternity and I consider them "brothers". I do own spinning equipment and often spin, especially in the early season. Personally, I draw the line with bait. Like my approach to fly fishing (KISS), my spinning approach is the same, Rapalas, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins, and a few Mepps are all that occupy my tackle box.

I do practice catch and release but not to the extent where I preach it nor is it practiced 100% of the time. At most, I'll harvest less than a half dozen per season. On average I'll catch nearly a couple hundred trout a season; my conscience is very clear.

I view angling as a time for quiet contemplantion in commune with what nature has to offer and am of the very firm belief that the archer is far more important than the arrow. For the most part, my flies consist of what now have become "the classics" and my main referance is the Index of Orvis Fly Patterns with both Supplements. I do experiment some with my own designs and have incorporated a few of them in my regular arsonel. Not being a practioner of "Zen" I have, however, developed over the years a Zen like state once I'm streamside. I know without a doubt where the trout are and approach them accordingly (last season I was skunked only once, the first time in over 5 years).

If there was but one piece of advice that I would pass along to a neophyte angler it would be to know your quarry and that presentation of the lure is paramount....
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Eventually, all things merge into one...and a river runs through it.

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