Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Stream photos

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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.

Animal Phylum Chordata (Vertebrate)

Though most trout feed mostly on invertebrates, a few vertebrates do come their way. Baitfish, of course, are the most common, but mice, frogs, and salamanders all may supplement the diet of a lucky trophy-sized trout.

Specimens of the Animal Phylum Chordata

5 Adults

Cottidae Fish Adult

7 Pictures

This seems to be a mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi. Normally this species is more mottled.

Collected May 6, 2007 from Mongaup Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Cyprinidae Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae

Collected February 7, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Cyprinidae Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae

Collected February 7, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Cyprinidae Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Sand Shiner
Notripis stramineus

Collected February 2, 2004 from unknown in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

Cottidae Fish Adult

4 Pictures

Mottled Sculpin
Cottus bairdi

Collected January 13, 2004 from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin

Added by Troutnut on January 25, 2006

4 Underwater Pictures of Chordata Animals:

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This tiny sculpin is the size of a mid-sized mayfly nymph.

In this picture: Fish Order Cottidae (Sculpin).

Taken May 26, 2007 from Fishing Creek in Pennsylvania

Added by Troutnut on June 5, 2007

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In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 6, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

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I got a nice picture of the pool these salamander larvae inhabit a few weeks later.

In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 6, 2006 from Mystery Creek #23 in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 3, 2006

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I tried to photograph this salamander but it kept scurrying away from the camera. The rocks in this little backwater are covered with a thin layer of very easily disturbed silt, so anywhere I followed it I didn't have much time to photograph before the water was too turbid for a good shot. This is the best I got.

In this picture: Amphibian Order Caudata (Salamander).

Taken September 8, 2006 from the East Branch of Trout Brook in New York

Added by Troutnut on October 4, 2006

Discussions of Chordata

fishin with salamanders

6 replies

Posted by Warren on Sep 3, 2007 in the order Caudata

Last reply on Sep 16, 2007 by Warren

the trout here in the smokies love the little black salamanders. i find alot of them in the stomachs of the little native brookies we have around here. when ever im bait fishing(Lord, forgive me of my sins)i always look for a salamander to put on my hook because they do catch fish. im hoping to get away from that, but i havent succeeded in tying a fly that replicates one but i hope to figure it out or find an already existent pattern.