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 Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult Female Hydropsyche (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult

Lateral view of a Female Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Adult from the Columbia River in Washington

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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.

Probably an immature Paragnetina media

Paragnetina media (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph

3 Pictures

Dorsal view of a Paragnetina media (Perlidae) (Embossed Stonefly) Stonefly Nymph from Cascadilla Creek in New York

Collected March 12, 2005 from Cascadilla Creek in New York

Added by Troutnut on April 5, 2006

Collected March 12, 2005 from Cascadilla Creek in New York and added by Troutnut on April 5, 2006

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Oct 4, 2006October 4th, 2006, 10:01 am EDT

The row of spinules, absence of anal gills, and overall hairiness are all consistent with immature P. media. (The mature nymphs are cleaner, darker, and less hairy.)

I would also suggest altering the Paragnetina page to say that media is very important in both the East and Midwest. (media is probably the most widespread and commonly encountered large member of the Perlidae in the East. Due to its tolerance and adaptability it is often found in streams that have few other stonefly species.) The "accepted" (Stark, et al.) common names are Embossed Stone for media and Beautiful Stone for immarginata.

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Oct 4, 2006October 4th, 2006, 10:19 am EDT

Thanks. I've made the suggested changes.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Dkak
Posts: 1

Dkak on Jan 19, 2010January 19th, 2010, 4:37 am EST

I'm working with some of these "hairy" Paragnetina from Vermont right now. I've found them difficult to key out because their gills are only somewhat branched, ocelli are difficult to see on many individuals, and the inner fringe of long hairs on the cerci is not present (probably due to immaturity). These pictures helped a bunch!