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.

Stream photos

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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.

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Found it on the Jeep

Grannom
Northwest PA

Posts: 87

Grannom on Jun 24, 2008June 24th, 2008, 10:22 am EDT

I live in NW PA, and have no trout streams near my house, but there is a small stream about a mile away, where I have never seen a bug hatch from. I found a small, size 18-20,light brown(from what my friend said, I'm colorblind)mayfly with two tails. Wings were cloudy with no veination. The body seem rather stalky compared to what I'm used to. Any ideas? I know this is vague, and you bug guru's are gonna hate me.

"Be calm - you're there..." "...Tell yourself there's no rush, even if there is."

-John Gierach

Grannom
Northwest PA

Posts: 87

Grannom on Jun 26, 2008June 26th, 2008, 10:02 am EDT

Gonzo- Stocky

"Be calm - you're there..." "...Tell yourself there's no rush, even if there is."

-John Gierach

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Jun 26, 2008June 26th, 2008, 11:36 am EDT

Thanks, Mike. My first impression was that you had probably found a baetid ("two tails"), but I now think it might be a caenid that had lost one of its tails. These stocky little mayflies have broad forewings and no hindwings. Their wing and body shapes are similar to Tricos. The sparse venation (few cross-veins) would probably be fairly indistinct ("cloudy" wings). You might also have noticed a dark line along the leading edge of the forewing. Although it might have come from the stream you mention, it could also have come from a pond or lake. Does that sound right?

Grannom
Northwest PA

Posts: 87

Grannom on Jun 26, 2008June 26th, 2008, 1:12 pm EDT

Yeah, Gonzo, sounds good. Also, there were no hindwings now that you mention it. But I really have no idea where is came from. The stream is the only body of water near my house. Thanks

"Be calm - you're there..." "...Tell yourself there's no rush, even if there is."

-John Gierach