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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.

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.

Little Snowflies

Like most common names,"Little Snowfly" can refer to more than one taxon. They're previewed below, along with 5 specimens. For more detail click through to the scientific names.

Stonefly Family Capniidae

These are often called Little Snowflies.
These are the first stoneflies of the year to appear in most parts of the country, and often the first aquatic insects noticed by the angler. Their dark brown or black bodies are easy to spot against the snowbanks where they crawl around.

Capnia in the West and Allocapnia in the East are probably the most common genera of this prolific family.
Capnia nana (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Adult from the N. Fork Touchet River in Washington
Dorsal view of a Capniidae (Snowfly) Stonefly Nymph from Cascadilla Creek in New York

Stonefly Genus Allocapnia

These are often called Little Snowflies.
Allocapnia granulata is the most abundant Capniidae species in the East.

Stonefly Genus Capnia

These are often called Little Snowflies.
This is one of the most common genera of Capniidae.
Capnia nana (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Adult from the N. Fork Touchet River in Washington

Stonefly Genus Isocapnia

These are often called Little Snowflies.
Female Isocapnia hyalita (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Adult from the  Touchet River in Washington
Isocapnia integra (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Flathead River-upper in Montana

Stonefly Genus Utacapnia

These are often called Little Snowflies.

Stonefly Species Utacapnia distincta

These are often called Little Snowflies.

Stonefly Species Capnia gracilaria

These are often called Little Snowflies.

Stonefly Species Allocapnia granulata

These are often called Little Snowflies.

Stonefly Species Isocapnia integra

These are often called Little Snowflies.
Isocapnia integra (Capniidae) (Little Snowfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Flathead River-upper in Montana
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