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.

Firehole River Sunset

From the Firehole River in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

With a bit of help from the microscope, this specimen keys clearly and unsurprisingly to Hydropsyche.

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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.

Caddisfly Species Apatania incerta (Early Smoky Wing Sedges)

Where & when

Time of year : Mid-April to late May

Preferred waters: Small to medium streams

This species is reportedly very important in southern New England.

In 6 records from GBIF, adults of this species have been collected during April (67%) and May (33%).

In 12 records from GBIF, this species has been collected at elevations ranging from 1319 to 4209 ft, with an average (median) of 2280 ft.

Species Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Hatching behavior

Time of day : All day

Egg-Laying behavior

Time of day: All day

Larva & pupa biology

Shelter type: Stone cases

Gary LaFontaine notes in Caddisflies that these larvae become especially active and vulnerable to trout shortly before pupation.

Start a Discussion of Apatania incerta

References

LaFontaine, Gary. 1981. Caddisflies. The Lyons Press.
Swisher, Doug and Carl Richards. 2000. Selective Trout. The Lyons Press.