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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.

Lateral view of a Male Callibaetis ferrugineus (Baetidae) (Speckled Dun) Mayfly Spinner from Mystery Creek #304 in Idaho
This is one of four specimens I photographed together from the same hatch, also including a nymph, a male dun, and a female dun. According to the key in Check (1982), the clear wing venation on the associated dun shows that it is either Callibaetis ferrugineous or Callibaetis pallidus, and the characteristics to tell the difference between those two are maddening for both the nymph and adult. If the partial shading in the wing is "medium to dark brown," and the dots on the body are "fuscous to dark brown," then it's ferrugineous. If the wing shading is "chestnut brown" and dots on the body are "yellowish to chestnut brown," then it's pallidus. However, several spare specimens I collected alongside the one in the photo have no markings on the wing at all, which would seemingly indicate ferrugineous according to the key. It's enough for a contingent ID, but I still wouldn't rule out pallidus.
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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Troutnut.com User Roguerat

Troutnut.com User Roguerat

Biography & Thoughts
roguerat- born and raised in west Michigan, love The Rogue River...and the White...and the Muskegon...and the PM...you get the drift. Started fly-tying and fishing warmwater back in '93, then going after trout 12 years ago or so when a friend moved back from Minnesota and twisted my arm into trying it. haven't tied anything smaller than a 22, no matter what my friends say about Tricos and midges.
middle-aged, 2 daughters who come home from college to fish with dad (fly-fish, naturally), wife and I do lots of weekenders trying new fishing spots.

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