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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.

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 # 89

I caught several wild and colorful 8-9 inch brook trout in the clear little pool below this waterfall.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
For how many years, I wonder, have these huge slabs of rock sheltered wild brook trout?

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Of all the pools I've fished, this one was most deserving of the colorful little brook trout it held.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
This little pool shelters some eager small-stream brook trout.  You can see this pool from underwater, too.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
No method of casting in my arsenal was capable of presenting a fly to the brook trout in this hidden pool.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
Mystery Creek # 89 in New York

Underwater photos from Mystery Creek # 89

Here's another view of the pool under the waterfall shown in this picture.  This time one of the pool's many brook trout is visible, but well-camouflaged.  Can you find it?

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
This little pool shelters some eager small-stream brook trout, though I caught or frightened them before I took the picture.  You can see this pool from above the water, too.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
The rock wall across the picture is at least 15 feet away -- this is extremely clear water in a tiny Catskill stream.  This plunge pool to a large waterfall holds many brook trout in the 8-9 inch range but they hide too well to spot in this photo.

From Mystery Creek # 89 in New York
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