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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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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Definition of 'half-spent'
Definition of 'half-spent'
Half-spent: The wing position of some insects which fall on the water after mating. Their wings on one side lay flat in the surface film while the wings on the other side stick up into the air. The term may refer to insects with their wings in that position, as well as the position itself. Many mayfly spinners fall half-spent before becoming spent.