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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.

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.
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.

Siphlonurus autumnalis (Siphlonuridae) (Gray Drake) Mayfly Nymph from Crazy Beaver Spring in Montana
GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
GONZO on Jul 2, 2011July 2nd, 2011, 8:35 am EDT
I've really been enjoying looking at Dr. Newell's additions to the "Aquatic Insect Encyclopedia," but there seems to have been some sort of mix-up here. The 2nd photograph is an female ephemerellid dun, possibly something like Ephemerella tibialis.
Entoman
Entoman's profile picture
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604
Entoman on Jul 2, 2011July 2nd, 2011, 2:38 pm EDT
Looks like tibialis to me also, but I can't find where the photos are associated other than in this thread. As I write this the dun photo disappeared so I think Jason's on it Lloyd.

Kurt
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
Troutnut
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Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Jul 2, 2011July 2nd, 2011, 3:09 pm EDT
The dun photo's still there. I sent Bob an email about it. I didn't want to delete it until he sees which one is in the wrong place, so it's easy for him to put it back online in the right place.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

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