Header image
Enter a name
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.

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.

By Troutnut on July 6th, 2013
We got a late start to day two because we were tired and it was raining all morning and early afternoon. We began around 3:45 pm and made our way up over one pass and down the next drainage to the ridge before the next pass. We were able to break camp during a brief pause in the rain, but we went through the pass amidst howling winds and small hail. Later in the evening, the weather cleared enough for a bit of sunshine.

The only wildlife we saw were Arctic ground squirrels and a cow caribou with two calves.

Photos by Troutnut from Clearwater Mountains and the South Fork of Pass Creek in Alaska

South Fork Pass Creek valley panorama

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Snack break spot

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Standing atop the pass checking out the route down.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Upper Sout Fork Pass Creek valley

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Frigid shooting star (Dodecatheon frigidum)

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Creek flowing out of the first pass we climbed.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
South Fork Pass Creek flowing through a little canyon

From the South Fork of Pass Creek in Alaska
Clouds spilling over the mountaintops

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Moss campion (Silene acaulis)

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Big mountain to the south

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Sunbeam streaming through Wedding Pass.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Cow caribou (middle) and 2 calves

From the South Fork of Pass Creek in Alaska
Rainbow mini-panorama.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
The South Fork of Pass Creek in Alaska
Wooly Lousewort (Pedicularis kanei)

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
High rocks at the beginning of a little mountain stream

From the South Fork of Pass Creek in Alaska
Lena at the top of the first pass we climbed through.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala)

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Rain on its way.

From Clearwater Mountains in Alaska
Clearwater Mountains in Alaska

Comments / replies

Jmd123
Jmd123's profile picture
Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Jul 31, 2013July 31st, 2013, 7:20 pm EDT
You can't describe this in words...at least, I can't...and I love the botany!!!

Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Aug 3, 2013August 3rd, 2013, 12:52 pm EDT
Can't really describe it in pictures either, unfortunately. The photos always pale in comparison to the real thing.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Topic
Replies
Last Reply
8
Sep 26, 2013
by Stokes
4
Mar 14, 2012
by Crepuscular
51
Sep 15, 2020
by Wiflyfisher
21
Dec 14, 2015
by PaulRoberts
Troutnut.com is copyright © 2004-2024 (email Jason). privacy policy