Header image
Enter a name
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.

Case view of a Pycnopsyche guttifera (Limnephilidae) (Great Autumn Brown Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
It's only barely visible in one of my pictures, but I confirmed under the microscope that this one has a prosternal horn and the antennae are mid-way between the eyes and front of the head capsule.

I'm calling this one Pycnopsyche, but it's a bit perplexing. It seems to key definitively to at least Couplet 8 of the Key to Genera of Limnephilidae Larvae. That narrows it down to three genera, and the case seems wrong for the other two. The case looks right for Pycnopsyche, and it fits one of the key characteristics: "Abdominal sternum II without chloride epithelium and abdominal segment IX with only single seta on each side of dorsal sclerite." However, the characteristic "metanotal sa1 sclerites not fused, although often contiguous" does not seem to fit well. Those sclerites sure look fused to me, although I can make out a thin groove in the touching halves in the anterior half under the microscope. Perhaps this is a regional variation.

The only species of Pycnopsyche documented in Washington state is Pycnopsyche guttifera, and the colors and markings around the head of this specimen seem to match very well a specimen of that species from Massachusetts on Bugguide. So I am placing it in that species for now.

Whatever species this is, I photographed another specimen of seemingly the same species from the same spot a couple months later.
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.

Kenai River trout & dolly fishing from a drift boat, day 2

By Troutnut on August 25th, 2007
The conclusion of my first trip to the Kenai River.

Photos by Troutnut from the Kenai River and Miscellaneous Alaska in Alaska

Troutnut's best dolly varden from this Kenai trip.
The Kenai River in Alaska
Even when it's not the peak of the salmon season, the Kenai is pretty crowded.

From the Kenai River in Alaska
After finishing the Kenai float, I drove town to Homer.  Along the way was this view of the little fishing village of Ninilchik on Cook Inlet.

From Ninilchik in Alaska
A house perched over Ninilchik with a commanding view of Cook Inlet.
The Kenai River in Alaska
The Kenai River in Alaska

Kenai River trout & dolly fishing from a drift boat

By Troutnut on August 24th, 2007
I went fishing with Eric from Reel Trout Studios in his drift boat on the Kenai River. I caught my first dolly varden and had a generally amazing experience.

Photos by Troutnut from the Kenai River in Alaska

The Kenai River in Alaska
The Kenai River in Alaska
This is one of the busiest spots on the Kenai River, the boat landing across from the mouth of the Russian River.

From the Kenai River in Alaska
The Kenai River in Alaska
Troutnut's first Dolly Varden!  Not a big one by Kenai River standards, but exciting nonetheless.
The Kenai River in Alaska
Some of these Kenai River rainbows have serious battle scars from being hooked and released so many times, as the mouth on this one clearly shows.

Updates from August 16, 2007

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Drunella coloradensis (Ephemerellidae) (Small Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Big Thompson River in Montana

Updates from July 30, 2007

Closeup insects by Bnewell from Crazy Beaver Spring in Montana

Updates from July 30, 2007

Closeup insects by Bnewell from Flathead Lake and Kintla Lake in Montana

Paraleptophlebia bicornuta (Leptophlebiidae) (Mahogany Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Flathead Lake in Montana
This species is interesting because it is common in lakes as well as streams. It is one of the last species of the year to emerge in western Montana. Adults have been collected as late as October 15 weather permitting.
Ecdyonurus criddlei (Heptageniidae) (Little Slate-Winged Dun) Mayfly Nymph from Kintla Lake in Montana
This is an interesting Heptageniid mayfly since in western Montana it is only found in cold lakes, especially those in Glacier National Park.
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy