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.

Cedar sweepers line the fertile spring creek headwaters of a famous trout stream.

From the Bois Brule River in Wisconsin

Stream photos

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Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva Holocentropus Caddisfly Larva

Dorsal view of a Holocentropus (Polycentropodidae) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington

This one seems to tentatively key to Holocentropus, although I can't make out the anal spines in Couplet 7 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae nor the dark bands in Couplet 4 of the Key to Genera of Polycentropodidae Larvae, making me wonder if I went wrong somewhere in keying it out. I don't see where that could have happened, though. It might also be that it's a very immature larva and doesn't possess all the identifying characteristics in the key yet. If Holocentropus is correct, then Holocentropus flavus and Holocentropus interruptus are the two likely possibilities based on range, but I was not able to find a description of their larvae.

11 Recently Added Photos

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 27, 2011

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Hydropsychidae Caddisfly Adult

2 Pictures

These specimens are either Cheumatopsyche or Hydropsyche. They escaped before I could catch them.I suspect, based on size, they are Hydropsyche, they are about 1/4 inch in length. Both H. occidentalis and H. californica are common in the Touchet River.

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on July 29, 2011

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on July 29, 2011

Female Acentrella turbida (Tiny Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Spinner

1 Picture

Female Acentrella turbida (Baetidae) (Tiny Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Spinner from the Touchet River in Washington

Here is the female spinner of the tiny Acentrella turbida. You can see the coloration is quite different from the male.

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on July 29, 2011

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on July 29, 2011

Male Acentrella turbida (Tiny Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Spinner

3 Pictures

Male Acentrella turbida (Baetidae) (Tiny Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Spinner from the Touchet River in Washington

I would not like to have to match this hatch. These are the smallest mayflies I have ever seen. I used to think Caenis was the smallest adult mayfly in the west but these guys are about 4mm long. The male eyes are two toned, brown above and olive below. The abdomen is dark brown interspersed with light brown. The abdomen is clear for the anterior 2/3rd and the remainder is white. The tails are twice as long as the insect. There is only one pair of wings.

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on July 27, 2011

Collected July 26, 2011 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on July 27, 2011