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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 Female Sweltsa borealis (Chloroperlidae) (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult from Harris Creek in Washington
I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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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Drunella grandis (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Dorsal view of a Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Ruler view of a Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.
Ventral view of a Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington
Lateral view of a Drunella grandis (Ephemerellidae) (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph from the Dosewallips River in Washington

This mayfly was collected from the Dosewallips River in Washington on July 6th, 2020 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on July 12th, 2020.

Discussions of this Nymph

Fearsome
1 replies
Posted by Martinlf on Aug 14, 2020
Last reply on Aug 14, 2020 by Troutnut
Love the detail here, Jason. Those spikes on the head and abdomen are cool. Horned mayfly.

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Drunella grandis (Western Green Drake) Mayfly Nymph Pictures

Collection details
Location: Dosewallips River, Washington
Date: July 6th, 2020
Added to site: July 12th, 2020
Author: Troutnut
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