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.

A beautiful braided reach of the Sag River, with the Philip Smith Mountains in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the background.

From the Sagavanirktok River in Alaska

Stream photos

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Sweltsa (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph Sweltsa (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph

Dorsal view of a Sweltsa (Chloroperlidae) (Sallfly) Stonefly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington

This species was fairly abundant in a February sample of the upper Yakima.

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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.

brand new to fly fishing. reel question

Lalaleeza
missouri

Posts: 1

Lalaleeza on Oct 18, 2015October 18th, 2015, 6:23 pm EDT

So I was given an nxt series I reel and I have a pole so I bought the backing and the line and the leader. I spooled it all but I have never fly fished so when I spooled it, I am realizing that it isn't like a conventional reel. It goes both directions. Is it supposed to do that?!! Don't laugh, I apparently am going to need help. Lol

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Oct 18, 2015October 18th, 2015, 7:08 pm EDT

Hi Lisa-

Welcome to the forum. Yes, flyfishing reels are designed to go both directions. This allows a fish can take out line, and you to reel in line. There is probably a drag adjustment on your reel. It applies tension to slow a running fish from stripping line off the reel.

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Wbranch

York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635

Wbranch on Oct 19, 2015October 19th, 2015, 11:23 pm EDT

Relevant to what Roger mentioned if you tighten the drag knob (assuming it is a modern reel with a disc drag) the line will come off the spool with more resistance compared to when you retrieve the line. The line winds onto the spool much easier than when going out. This will tire a fish and also prevent the spool from "overrunning" and causing a backlash.

Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.