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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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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Waterton Canyon

Sundula has attached these 2 pictures to this report. The message is below.

Report at a Glance

General Region	15 min form my driveway (including driving and walking)
Dates Fished	10/19/06
Time of Day	4:30p - 6:00p
Fish Caught	13" Brown and 17" Brown
Conditions & Hatches	Flow was right around 100cfs, clarity was good, midges were the only thing happening.

Details and Discussion

Sundula
Littleton, Colorado

Posts: 35

Sundula on Oct 19, 2006October 19th, 2006, 6:26 pm EDT

It has really been fishing well lately, I have been having success with #20 - #22 Mercury Black Beauties, #20 - #22 Mercury RS2s, #20 - #22 RS2s, #22 - #24 Griffith's Gnats. Midge patterns will be the standard here soon, with the occasional BWO hatch.
I was fishing a nice little pool rying to fool some small rainbows when all of a sudden I noticed this guy rising to emerging midge pupae. I took a double take when I saw it because I was just messing around with the little guys, then all of a sudden i noticed a "Buick" in the "compact car parking lot". It was getting dark, and the tempeture was dropping, but I was not leaving without a picture of that fish. Taking Gonzo's advise I came up with a plan in landing the fish. I decided where I wanted it to go and how to get there. It worked out well, if I do say so, and I do. It ried to run to the fast water but I stayed below it, it had to have been funny to see. Me running down stream trying to stay below the thing, I ended up about a hundred yards down stream in some nice calm water. Right where I wanted it, the perfect spot to land, photo, and release. The picture is not great but Oh well, it was getting dark and the flash on the camera is relfecting bad on the scales. I got my pictue though, I really can't complain when I have neighbors like this guy :)

GONZO
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681

GONZO on Oct 19, 2006October 19th, 2006, 6:35 pm EDT

I think the 2nd picture is gorgeous--a perfect brown beauty. Way to go! Keep up the good work.