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.

View from Upper to Lower Titcomb Lake

From Titcomb Basin in Wyoming

Stream photos

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Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun

Lateral view of a Male Baetidae (Blue-Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun from Mystery Creek #308 in Washington

This dun emerged from a mature nymph on my desk. Unfortunately its wings didn't perfectly dry out.

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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.

Spence was having too much fun this past weekend! :)

Oldredbarn has attached these 3 pictures. The message is below.

You ever heard the saying, "I wish I was a fly on the wall"? Well I was. :)

The big fish these five guys have hassled is incredible...That's Alex squat down in front talking with AK...Alex is a guide friend of mine I have known since he was a young man from up on the Au Sable...He's tan because he is fresh from guiding in Arkansas...He sent me pics of 11lb Browns caught at midnight on white bellied-mice patterns...Back there, talking with Ed Engle, is another friend Charlie...He is a wonderful tier and night fisherman second to none...

Oldredbarn

Novi, MI

Posts: 2600

Oldredbarn on Mar 10, 2013March 10th, 2013, 6:08 pm EDT

I got to shadow AK Best this past weekend at the Midwest Fly Fishing Show...A show the Michigan Fly Fishing Club puts on. Bob Clouser sat down with us and the two friends got to talking...Guess what...Fishing...My head is still spinning! :)

I had a wonderful time.

"Even when my best efforts fail it's a satisfying challenge, and that, after all, is the essence of fly fishing." -Chauncy Lively

"Envy not the man who lives beside the river, but the man the river flows through." Joseph T Heywood

Lastchance
Portage, PA

Posts: 437

Lastchance on Mar 10, 2013March 10th, 2013, 6:16 pm EDT

Good for you. I've met both of them at the show in Somerset, N.J. and they are both very engaging. A.K. gave me a March Brown Nymph he tied during a demonstration. I also attended one of his presentations. He was a very down to earth, humble guy.
Bruce

PaulRoberts

Colorado

Posts: 1776

PaulRoberts on Mar 11, 2013March 11th, 2013, 8:35 am EDT

Ed Engle and AK live somewhere near me, along with Gierach, but I've yet to meet them. Then again it would have to be onstream and none of us would do more than skulk away mumbling something about "elbow room".

Jmd123

Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474

Jmd123 on Mar 11, 2013March 11th, 2013, 8:43 am EDT

Only a month and a half to go Spence, not counting extended-season waters...are you tying like a madman? Looks like a fun show! Always fun to be with some of the big names in a hobby, like when I got to meet some famous amateurs and professional telescope/eyepiece makers at the Texas Star Party many years ago...

Got your first trip planned to the Au Sable Holy Waters yet? I'm thinking about the Rifle and maybe even some steelhead fishing on the lower Au Sable behind my place. It's warm and raining right now, melting the snow and raising the rivers...Spring is coming!

Jonathon

No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...

Oldredbarn

Novi, MI

Posts: 2600

Oldredbarn on Mar 11, 2013March 11th, 2013, 1:07 pm EDT

Ed Engle and AK live somewhere near me, along with Gierach, but I've yet to meet them. Then again it would have to be onstream and none of us would do more than skulk away mumbling something about "elbow room".

Paul...You know that would be true! :) Everyone is warm and cozy at the show, around the vice, or at the end of the bar...but if I see you coming I'll more than likely duck in to the woods...That is if I don't know its you, sir.

Jonathon...Yes & yes. :) I have two weeks in Montana in August to boot...I'm pouring cold water on the vice.

Actually these guys are wonderful and share quite a bit...very laid back guys...AK had a wonderful career as a music instructor and a real life outside of the one we inhabit...He was really successful again with the fly tying books etc. One of these days I may discuss his fishing with Cal Gates, who was also a high school music teacher. A K lived up in Alpena for several years and the two music instrutors fished together then on the Au Sable.

Good stuff! You put us "old-school" guys together and it can get pretty deep. :)

Spence