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.

Possible PED mayfly ( Epeourus)

Leskorcala has attached these 5 pictures to aid in identification. The message is below.

Leskorcala
Posts: 16

Leskorcala on Aug 24, 2020August 24th, 2020, 3:46 pm EDT

hello, In late July and first week of august I spotted many 2 winged mayflies spinners on the walls of my house (I live about 20 yards from the edge of Bitterroot river, MT ) All of the spinner adults had 2 tails
I have narrowed down by size, tail numbers,emergence to family Heptageniidea , Genus Empeours I believe its E. albertae species. The Slate cream dun
Hope someone can conform this for me. I am in process doing year long project identify all teh major hatches on my home river, hope to get it done next year.

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Aug 26, 2020August 26th, 2020, 12:49 pm EDT

When Roger sees this he'll probably give you an ID.

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

--Fred Chappell

Taxon

Site Editor
Plano, TX

Posts: 1311

Taxon on Aug 26, 2020August 26th, 2020, 4:25 pm EDT

Well Louis, would if I could, but frankly, I'm thoroughly stumped.

Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

Martinlf

Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3047

Martinlf on Aug 27, 2020August 27th, 2020, 4:34 pm EDT

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

--Fred Chappell

Troutnut

Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2758

Troutnut on Sep 3, 2020September 3rd, 2020, 6:35 pm EDT

Hi Les,

Very nice pictures!

I think this probably is Epeorus. From the fourth picture, it looks like the first two tarsal segments are approximately the same length, which usually points to that genus.

I don't think the species is albertae, unless I have misidentified the specimens labeled as albertae on this site, including this one most recently. The coloration of the abdomen is very different, and I seem to recall the spots on the femora are a key feature of albertae as well.

Unfortunately I'm not sure what species it is, as I don't have my ID resources with me at the moment on a trip.

Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

Leskorcala
Posts: 16

Leskorcala on Sep 10, 2020September 10th, 2020, 5:08 pm EDT

Thanks Jason for your feedback. this is very popular hatch on my home water , lot of anglers would call them PMD but the 2 tail is easy giveaway
sorry in my original post I said 2 winged mayfly ( I was referring to 2 tail mayfly ) anyway , I can see now looking at some references images where spots on femora are absent on this mayfly.