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.

We were lucky to be able to fish through this storm as it skirted around us to the north, giving us just enough clouds to prompt a BWO hatch but keeping the lighting at a safe distance.

From Slough Creek in Wyoming

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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Site updates from July 4, 2005

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Flathead River in Montana

Male Heptagenia solitaria (Ginger Quill) Mayfly Spinner

4 Pictures

Male Heptagenia solitaria (Heptageniidae) (Ginger Quill) Mayfly Spinner from the Flathead River-lower in Montana

This species is common in the Flathead River below Kerr Day. The river here is fairly warm with a cobble and boulder bottom with heavy periphyton at times. This species is not common elsewhere in western Montana.

Collected July 3, 2005 from the Flathead River-lower in Montana

Added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011

Collected July 3, 2005 from the Flathead River-lower in Montana and added by Bnewell on June 28, 2011