Header image
Enter a name
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 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.
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.

Troutnut.com User Jesse

Troutnut.com User Jesse

Biography & Thoughts
I am obsessed with fly fishing!
Forum Signature
Most of us fish our whole lives..not knowing its not the fish that we are after.
http://www.filingoflyfishing.com

Send Jesse a Private Message

Latest Posts By Jesse

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
7
Jan 19, 2013
by Jesse
3
Nov 15, 2012
by Jesse
4
Nov 12, 2012
by Jesse
8
Feb 14, 2012
by Jesse
16
Jan 20, 2012
by Jesse
13
Dec 4, 2011
by Jesse
14
Nov 24, 2011
by Jesse
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy