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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.

Artistic view of a Perlodidae (Springflies and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This one seems to lead to Couplet 35 of the Key to Genera of Perlodidae Nymphs and the genus Isoperla, but I'm skeptical that's correct based on the general look. I need to get it under the microscope to review several choices in the key, and it'll probably end up a different Perlodidae.
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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Water Pennies

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

Beetle Family Psephenidae

These are pretty much always called Water Pennies.
These interesting insects are not mentioned in trout fishing literature, but they turn up once in a while in my Eastern samples and I understand they are also common in the Midwest.
Dorsal view of a Psephenus (Psephenidae) (Water Penny) Beetle Larva from Cascadilla Creek in New York

Water Pennies

Scientific Name
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