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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.

Dorsal view of a Sweltsa (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
This species was fairly abundant in a February sample of the upper Yakima.
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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Autumn Springflies

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

Stonefly Species Pictetiella expansa

These are very rarely called Autumn Springflies.
Lateral view of a Female Pictetiella expansa (Perlodidae) (Autumn Springfly) Stonefly Adult from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington
Based on photos, this specimen seems to key out (using Merritt & Cummins 4th Edition) to Pictetiella expansa, but some of the characteristics aren't 100 % clear. Frisonia picticeps is another possibility. The range map doesn't show Pictetiella expansa in Washington, but that species is listed elsewhere as occurring near Puget Sound, and the head markings are similar to (albeit not a perfect match for) those of a male from Colorado in the scientific literature.

Autumn Springflies

Scientific Name
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