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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.

Dorsal view of a Neoleptophlebia (Leptophlebiidae) Mayfly Nymph from the Yakima River in Washington
Some characteristics from the microscope images for the tentative species id: The postero-lateral projections are found only on segment 9, not segment 8. Based on the key in Jacobus et al. (2014), it appears to key to Neoleptophlebia adoptiva or Neoleptophlebia heteronea, same as this specimen with pretty different abdominal markings. However, distinguishing between those calls for comparing the lengths of the second and third segment of the labial palp, and this one (like the other one) only seems to have two segments. So I'm stuck on them both. It's likely that the fact that they're immature nymphs stymies identification in some important way.
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.
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Landscape & scenery photos from Salmon Creek

Photo by Elena Vayndorf.

From Salmon Creek, Ludlowville Falls in New York
My girlfriend holds her first trout up.  The photo's blurry because the lens is covered with mist from the waterfall.

From Salmon Creek, Ludlowville Falls in New York
Salmon Creek in New York
The crystal clear water of this small northeastern trout stream makes wading tricky since everything looks deceptively shallow.  Those of us accustomed to judging depth by the fading clarity in stained water have a little trouble adjusting our perception to such clear streams.

From Salmon Creek in New York
My girlfriend prepares to cast into a deep waterfall pool.

From Salmon Creek, Ludlowville Falls in New York
Here's a 12" brown trout on the line with a size 14 Royal Wulff in his mouth in a small, very clear northeastern trout stream.
Salmon Creek in New York
Salmon Creek in New York
Many Finger Lakes tributaries have impressive waterfalls, but this is one of the best.  The plunge pool is extremely deep and often holds nice fish.

From Salmon Creek, Ludlowville Falls in New York

Underwater photos from Salmon Creek

Here's one of my first test underwater pictures with the Pentax Optio WPi.  It's a very shallow riffle in a clear trout stream.

From Salmon Creek in New York
This flash photo freezes the turbulent underside of a shallow riffle in a clear trout stream.

From Salmon Creek in New York
Here's a school of creek chubs.

Closeup insects by Troutnut from Salmon Creek in New York

References

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