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.

Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Stream photos

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Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph Skwala (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Skwala (Perlodidae) (Large Springfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This Skwala nymph still has a couple months left to go before hatching, but it's still a good representative of its species, which was extremely abundant in my sample for a stonefly of this size. It's obvious why the Yakima is known for its Skwala hatch.

6 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.

Mayfly Genus Ironodes

This Western genus is closely related to Epeorus and its biology is similar. The only species recognized as important to fly anglers is Ironodes nitidus.

Where & when

In 10 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have been collected during June (60%), May (20%), March (10%), and July (10%).

In 5 records from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevations ranging from 450 to 5200 ft, with an average (median) of 3600 ft.

Genus Range

source

Map of specific collection sites

Specimens of the Mayfly Genus Ironodes

1 Female Spinner

Female Ironodes nitidus (Slate Maroon Drake) Mayfly Spinner

3 Pictures

Female Ironodes nitidus (Heptageniidae) (Slate Maroon Drake) Mayfly Spinner from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana

While relatively rare in most of western Montana, it is common in several small streams along the east side of Flathead Lake and streams on the south side of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Collected June 24, 2008 from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana

Added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011

Collected June 24, 2008 from Yellow Bay Creek in Montana and added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011