Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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This specimen resembled several others of around the same size and perhaps the same species, which were pretty common in my February sample from the upper Yakima. Unfortunately, I misplaced the specimen before I could get it under a microscope for a definitive ID.
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Giant Water Bugs
Like most common names,"Giant Water Bug" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 1 specimen. For more detail click through to the scientific names.
True Bug Family Belostomatidae
These are often called Giant Water Bugs.
I haven't seen the imitation of these things stressed, but in August 2003 on one of my favorite rivers the largest brown trout I kept had stomachs full of these things.
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Giant Water Bug Species Lethocerus americanum
These are very rarely called Giant Water Bugs.