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 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.

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.

Site updates from May 16, 2012

Closeup insects by Bnewell from the Touchet River in Washington

Male Baetis tricaudatus (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun

2 Pictures

This first picture is in the dun stage.

Male Baetis tricaudatus (Baetidae) (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from the Touchet River in Washington

Collected May 15, 2012 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on May 18, 2012

Collected May 15, 2012 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on May 18, 2012

Male Neoleptophlebia heteronea (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner

1 Picture

Male Neoleptophlebia heteronea (Leptophlebiidae) (Blue Quill) Mayfly Spinner from the Touchet River in Washington

Collected May 15, 2012 from the Touchet River in Washington

Added by Bnewell on May 18, 2012

Collected May 15, 2012 from the Touchet River in Washington and added by Bnewell on May 18, 2012

Comments / replies

Marsha
Posts: 1

Marsha on Jun 12, 2012June 12th, 2012, 2:41 pm EDT

Jason, I work for a not-for-profit company, Professor Garfield, which, in conjunction with the state of Indiana and Ball State University, is putting together an educational web-site for migrant children. We are building science modules. One of our needs for our life cycle modules are photo/video images of dragonfly nymphs, eggs, and dragonflies laying eggs. Would you give permission for us to use your video/photo of a dragonfly nymph? Do you have and could we use any other dragonfly life stage images you have?

Best to you-- Marsha Jacobson

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Jun 12, 2012June 12th, 2012, 6:09 pm EDT

Marsha, you might PM Jason directly. I don't know how busy he is, but if he's in the field he might not check in immediately. A PM may show up on his email, alerting him to your request.

"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell

Troutnut