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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 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.

Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

Based on the pale longitudinal forewing veins (excepting the costals), dark middle terga, and genitalia (Burks '53), this specimen is P. adoptiva.

Lateral view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Artistic view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Dorsal view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Ventral view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York
Ruler view of a Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from Factory Brook in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This mayfly was collected from Factory Brook in New York on May 9th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on May 18th, 2007.


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Male Neoleptophlebia adoptiva (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

Collection details
Location: Factory Brook, New York
Date: May 9th, 2007
Added to site: May 18th, 2007
Author: Troutnut
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