Salmonfly

Overview: The Salmonfly (Pteronarcys), also known as Great/Giant (Brown) Stonefly in the East and Salmonflies in the West, is one of the largest and most iconic stoneflies, creating exciting fishing opportunities during its hatch in late spring and early summer. Found in cold, fast-moving rivers, these orange and black giants drive trout into a feeding frenzy. Their hatches often coincide with high-water conditions, making them a must-watch event for anglers seeking explosive topwater action. Salmonflies are particularly prominent in Western U.S. rivers, where their large size and distinctive coloration make them a key target for fish during the hatch.

Nymph Stage: Salmonfly nymphs are large and robust, averaging 1 to 2 inches in length. They have dark brown to black bodies with subtle orange accents, often resembling small crawfish or other large invertebrates. These nymphs dwell among riverbed rocks, often in fast-moving currents, where they spend the majority of their life before emerging. Active during their pre-emergence migration to shallower waters, they make an important food source for fish during this stage. Fly patterns tied on hooks size 4–10 mimic their size and appearance well. Dead-drift presentations with occasional twitches near structure are effective for enticing strikes, as the nymphs often emerge or crawl along the riverbed.

Adult Stage: Adult Salmonflies range from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches in length, with dark brown to black bodies and distinctive orange underbellies. Their large, translucent wings feature brown veining that makes them easily identifiable. These stoneflies are clumsy fliers, often seen fluttering along the water's surface or perched on vegetation near the riverbanks. During the hatch, they fall into the water, triggering aggressive surface strikes from trout. Dry fly patterns tied on hooks size 4–8 effectively replicate their large size and coloration.