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.

Dorsal view of a Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington
As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.
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.

Post pictures and ask questions of experts to help learn about aquatic insect identification.
Topic
Replies
Last Reply
Black & White Mayfly Nymph [Page: 1, 2]
May 5, 2014 by Higherroad
23
Aug 6, 2014
by Taxon
3
Aug 4, 2014
by JOHNW
13
Jul 25, 2014
by Millcreek
12
Jul 25, 2014
by Crepuscular
5
Jul 21, 2014
by Crepuscular
20
Jul 18, 2014
by Entoman
Baetis Shuck [Page: 1, 2, 3]
Feb 23, 2012 by Martinlf
41
Jul 10, 2014
by NEMatt
11
Jul 9, 2014
by Entoman
2
Jun 3, 2014
by PaulRoberts
10
May 7, 2014
by Entoman
What say ye? [Page: 1, 2] Captured April 25 2014
Central Pennsylvania
Apr 28, 2014 by JOHNW
25
May 5, 2014
by Oldredbarn
14
Apr 2, 2014
by Jmd123
Two Questions
Mar 16, 2014 by Smeador
7
Apr 1, 2014
by LowBudget
Heptageniidae
Mar 10, 2014 by Crepuscular
19
Mar 29, 2014
by Entoman
18
Mar 23, 2014
by Entoman
1
Feb 19, 2014
by Entoman
17
Jan 26, 2014
by Lastchance
"nocturnal stone"
Jul 30, 2013 by Sayfu
6
Jan 15, 2014
by Byhaugh
13
Dec 27, 2013
by CaseyP
10
Dec 18, 2013
by Brookyman
5
Dec 17, 2013
by Entoman
Who're these guys?? [Page: 1, 2, 3]
Nov 3, 2013 by PaulRoberts
41
Dec 11, 2013
by Brookyman
15
Oct 22, 2013
by Entoman
August ephmerellid [Page: 1, 2]
Aug 26, 2013 by Crepuscular
29
Sep 13, 2013
by Jmd123
Bug permits
Aug 27, 2013 by Quietone
2
Aug 28, 2013
by Quietone
Gammarus??? Pentax optio W60
ISO 800
f 4.4
1/25 Pentax optio W60
ISO 800
f 3.8
1/30
Aug 24, 2013 by Redtag
1
Aug 26, 2013
by Crepuscular
Dragon fly
Aug 17, 2013 by Fredw
9
Aug 22, 2013
by Taxon
4
Aug 9, 2013
by Taxon
Northern Minnesota Hex. [Page: 1, 2]
Jul 13, 2013 by Gutcutter
23
Jul 30, 2013
by Crepuscular
Huge ephemeroptera
Jul 27, 2013 by Petern
8
Jul 28, 2013
by Taxon
2
Jul 10, 2013
by Entoman
2
Jul 10, 2013
by Entoman
7
Jul 4, 2013
by CaseyP
18
Jun 28, 2013
by Taxon
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy