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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.

Dorsal view of a Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.
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.
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Stonefly Genus Pteronarcella (Salmonflies)

These stoneflies are similar to Pteronarcys and may be important to anglers in the West, but they are not quite as large.

Where & when

In 15 records from GBIF, adults of this genus have been collected during July (40%), June (40%), August (13%), and September (7%).

In 1 record from GBIF, this genus has been collected at elevation of 29016 ft.

Genus Range

Start a Discussion of Pteronarcella

References

Stonefly Genus Pteronarcella (Salmonflies)

Taxonomy
2 species (Pteronarcella badia and Pteronarcella regularis) aren't included.
Genus Range
Common Name
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