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.

The "Fountain Flats" stretch of the Firehole was fishable in the morning after an uncharacteristically cold August night.

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Isoperla (Stripetails and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Adult Isoperla (Stripetails and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Adult

Dorsal view of a Isoperla (Perlodidae) (Stripetails and Yellow Stones) Stonefly Adult from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

9 Recently Added Photos

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.

Early Brown Stoneflies

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

Stonefly Genus Strophopteryx

These are often called Early Brown Stoneflies.

Strophopteryx fasciata is the most important species of Early Brown Stoneflies.

Female Strophopteryx fasciata (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Adult

4 Pictures

Dorsal view of a Female Strophopteryx fasciata (Taeniopterygidae) (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Adult from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.

Collected March 15, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Collected March 15, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Strophopteryx fasciata (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Nymph

2 Pictures

Dorsal view of a Strophopteryx fasciata (Taeniopterygidae) (Mottled Willowfly) Stonefly Nymph from unknown in Wisconsin

Collected March 9, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

Collected March 9, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin and added by Troutnut on January 19, 2006

See 3 more specimens...