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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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About "Mystery Creeks": If you recognize one of these, you already understand why I'm keeping it a secret. I'm not as strict as some anglers about hiding where I fish, mostly because I don't expect to substantially affect fishing pressure on already well-known or simply unpopular waters. But there are some gems where I don't want to add a single unfamiliar bootprint to the mix, due to the fishing, their wild character, or keeping a friend's secret. They're all "Mystery Creek" here—even the lakes.

Landscape & scenery photos from Mystery Creek # 56

Chunky male brook trout and the best fish of the day
This remote small brookie stream rarely gets fished, and perhaps for good reason.  I couldn't find any trout.

From Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Recent forest service work has stabilized the alder-lined banks of this small trout stream and opened it up to sunlight, which helps increase its productivity.

From Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Interesting vegetation grows around this shallow, remote spring pond at the headwaters of an obscure trout stream.

From Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin

On-stream insect photos from Mystery Creek # 56

I took this picture of a scud from above the water's surface in a very shallow, clear, tiny bit of water at the margin of a little spring pond.

From Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin
Spent Hex spinners on a small stream the morning after the hatch.

From Mystery Creek # 56 in Wisconsin

References

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