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.

A beautiful braided reach of the Sag River, with the Philip Smith Mountains in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the background.

From the Sagavanirktok River in Alaska

Stream photos

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Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun

Lateral view of a Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This dun emerged from a mature nymph on my desk. Unfortunately its wings didn't perfectly dry out.

7 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.

Updates from July 14, 2011

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Male Rhithrogena robusta Mayfly Spinner

2 Pictures

Ventral view of a Male Rhithrogena robusta (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the Touchet River in Washington

Collected July 14, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on July 15, 2011

Collected July 14, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on July 15, 2011

Male Rhithrogena robusta Mayfly Spinner

3 Pictures

Male Rhithrogena robusta (Heptageniidae) Mayfly Spinner from the Touchet River in Washington

These specimens were collected from a mating swarm from the east branch of the North Fork of the Touchet River, upstream from the Bluewood Ski Area turn.It was a sunny warm day, mating swarm as 4-8 ft. above this small stream. Four male spinners were collected.Stream photos were taken.

Collected July 14, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on July 15, 2011

Collected July 14, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on July 15, 2011

Comments / replies

Adirman

Monticello, NY

Posts: 479

Adirman on Jul 15, 2011July 15th, 2011, 2:05 pm EDT

I see it has mosquito like front legs and only 2 tails that are quite long: is this normal?

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jul 15, 2011July 15th, 2011, 2:14 pm EDT

Male spinners usually have long front legs and long tails. The number of tails is normal for adults in this family.

Entoman

Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604

Entoman on Jul 15, 2011July 15th, 2011, 9:04 pm EDT

A-man,

The purpose of these long legs is to grasp the female in a way that proper leverage and balance can be utilized to make aerial copulation possible... Founders of the mile high club?

Kurt

"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman