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.

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Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult Female Sweltsa borealis (Boreal Sallfly) Stonefly Adult

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.

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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.

Pteronarcys proteus (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph Pictures

Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Dorsal view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Ventral view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

Ruler view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

Artistic view of a Pteronarcys proteus (Pteronarcyidae) (Salmonfly) Stonefly Nymph from Mongaup Creek in New York

This stonefly was collected from Mongaup Creek in New York on April 19th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on April 21st, 2006.

Discussions of this Nymph

Correction

Posted by GONZO on Oct 28, 2008

Last reply on Oct 28, 2008 by GONZO

Probably proteus--my bad.

Probably Pteronarcys biloba

2 replies

Posted by GONZO on Oct 4, 2006

Last reply on Oct 4, 2006 by GONZO

Everything seems consistent with P. biloba, the "Knobbed Salmonfly." Unlike dorsata, it is usually found in small streams and headwaters where it is a real mouthful for the little trout. Typical salmonfly nymph ties tend to be likewise, so I usually choose to imitate the younger, smaller generations of nymphs.

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