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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 Glossosoma (Glossosomatidae) (Little Brown Short-horned Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
I caught this tiny larva without a case, but it seems to key pretty clearly to to Glossosomatidae. From there, the lack of sclerites on the mesonotum points to either Glossosoma or Anagapetus. Although it's difficult to see in a 2D image from the microscope, it's pretty clear in the live 3D view that the pronotum is only excised about 1/3 of its length to accommodate the forecoxa, not 2/3, which points to Glossosoma at Couplet 5 of the Key to Genera of Glossosomatidae Larvae.
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.

DayTripper
DayTripper's profile picture
Northern MI

Posts: 70
DayTripper on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 2:00 am EDT
Found a monster Salmonfly this weekend, just over 2.5" long. Not sure why, but I got some funny looks from the guys I was with when I started jumping for joy...

Trtklr
Banned
Michigan

Posts: 115
Trtklr on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 3:26 am EDT
are both of these salmonflies? I can't say I have seen such a bug, I live in michigan. The one on the bottom looks a little familiar but I could be thinking of something else. Of course the one on top looks like a colorful version of a hex.
I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunrise on a cold stream.
DayTripper
DayTripper's profile picture
Northern MI

Posts: 70
DayTripper on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 3:41 am EDT
The one on top is a Green Drake
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 8:01 am EDT
You've got the bottom bug (or something very much like it, in the same genus, Pteronarcys) in Michigan. They'll typically be out at night around the same time as the Hexes, but near more riffly habitat and in much, much smaller numbers.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Jjlyon01
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse

Posts: 71
Jjlyon01 on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 12:56 pm EDT
Where did you find that salmonfly? Did you find it somewhere near Albany? I have never seen one one the Battenkill or streams around it.
"I now walk into the wild"
69er
Banned
kilsyth

Posts: 2
69er on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 1:10 pm EDT
(insert ban-worthy vandalism here)
i think im a gehy persons
DayTripper
DayTripper's profile picture
Northern MI

Posts: 70
DayTripper on Jun 10, 2008June 10th, 2008, 2:44 pm EDT
No not around Albany(I wish). I was down on the West Branch of the Delaware over the weekend. I ran into the Salmonfly at a gas station in Hancock on the bank of the East Branch.
Jjlyon01
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse

Posts: 71
Jjlyon01 on Jun 11, 2008June 11th, 2008, 12:20 pm EDT
Ah ya. It would be real nice to see a hatch up our way huh. I just wish I could be somewhere that had trout... I really miss catching trout in the Battenkill but I guess I can deal with the the 9lb largemouth and the alligator gar down in Texas for a few more weeks.
"I now walk into the wild"
DayTripper
DayTripper's profile picture
Northern MI

Posts: 70
DayTripper on Jun 11, 2008June 11th, 2008, 2:44 pm EDT
I don't know how you do it :)

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