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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.

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.
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 June 13th, 2019, 11:25 am EDT
This blog post is just a quick teaser for the long-form photo-journal I wrote about my favorite trip of last summer (2018), in which my wife and I backpacked into some high mountains for three days in pursuit of Golden Trout and had one of the prettiest places on Earth all to ourselves.

A few favorite images will serve as teasers for the full story:






Read it here.

Note: The bugs showing up below this post on the front page are only there because I uploaded them on the same day I posted the note about this story. They're from a different state and time of year.

Closeup insects by Troutnut from the South Fork Snoqualmie River in Washington

Comments / replies

Wbranch
Wbranch's profile picture
York & Starlight PA

Posts: 2635
Wbranch on Jun 14, 2019June 14th, 2019, 12:29 pm EDT
Is that your first alpine lake golden trout?
Catskill fly fisher for fifty-five years.
Troutnut
Troutnut's profile picture
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758
Troutnut on Jun 14, 2019June 14th, 2019, 12:59 pm EDT
Nope, I caught one the previous year (2017) in a much, much more difficult adventure here near Seattle. This trip was plenty of work but comparatively easy.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Martinlf
Martinlf's profile picture
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047
Martinlf on Jun 19, 2019June 19th, 2019, 6:16 am EDT
Breathtaking photos. Thanks for sharing this.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
Jmd123
Jmd123's profile picture
Oscoda, MI

Posts: 2474
Jmd123 on Jun 19, 2019June 19th, 2019, 8:23 am EDT
All beautiful, especially the little fishie.

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

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