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.

Here Oksrukuyik Creek flows away from the Dalton Highway toward the pipeline. It eventually grows into one of the major rivers of the North Slope, and the main drainage to the west of the Sag, but where it crosses the road it's just a small grayling stream.

From Oksrukuyik Creek in Alaska

Stream photos

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Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Setvena wahkeena (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Setvena wahkeena (Perlodidae) (Wahkeena Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mystery Creek #199 in Washington

As far as I can tell, this species has only previously been reported from one site in Oregon along the Columbia gorge. However, the key characteristics are fairly unmistakable in all except for one minor detail:
— 4 small yellow spots on frons visible in photos
— Narrow occipital spinule row curves forward (but doesn’t quite meet on stem of ecdysial suture, as it's supposed to in this species)
— Short spinules on anterior margin of front legs
— Short rposterior row of blunt spinules on abdominal tergae, rather than elongated spinules dorsally
I caught several of these mature nymphs in the fishless, tiny headwaters of a creek high in the Wenatchee Mountains.

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.

Caddisfly Family Apataniidae (Early Smoky Wing Sedges)

This family contains one sometimes important genus, Apatania.

Taxonomic History

All of the genera in this family were until somewhat recently classified in Limnephilidae.

Where & when

In 299 records from GBIF, adults of this family have mostly been collected during July (29%), August (21%), June (19%), September (15%), and May (6%).

In 266 records from GBIF, this family has been collected at elevations ranging from -164 to 12657 ft, with an average (median) of 789 ft.

Family Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Specimens of the Caddisfly Family Apataniidae

2 Adults

Apatania (Early Smoky Wing Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

7 Pictures

An adult caddisfly. Closeup of a hairy aquatic insect adult

Lateral view of a Apatania (Apataniidae) (Early Smoky Wing Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

This one actually had a medium tan body when it emerged. By the time I took the picture it was dark as night. I was actually looking through my box of specimens trying to figure out where that tan one I caught disappeared to. Then I realized this is it.

Collected May 14, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York

Added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Collected May 14, 2007 from the West Branch of the Delaware River in New York and added by Troutnut on May 18, 2007

Apatania (Early Smoky Wing Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

8 Pictures