Fly fishing are the process of fishing for streams with flies that match the specific type of insect that are in the stream. Most people fail at fly fishing because they dont understand the timing of the insect hatches that occur in the stream, as the insect hatches do not follow the human schedule for the day. The aquatic insects that hatch in the streams is based off the temperature of the water, the season, and amount of light that falls upon the water.
If an individual understands the cycle of the insect hatches, they are able to more or less accurate predict the behavior of the trout in the stream. In understanding the cycle of the insects that live in the streams, there is four order of these insects. Those four orders are mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges.
Learn the Insects and When They Hatch
Mayflies are delicate insect that must be fished with upright-wing dries or emergers. Caddisflies move in an erratic fashion in the water and is fished with high-floating, twitchable flies. Stoneflies are a large insect that indicates that the water is healthy and trout fish them with large crawlers.
Finally, midges are small insects that live in streams throughout the year. By recognizing these different orders of insect, individuals are able to narrow the choices available within their fly box; recognizing the order of these insects will allow an individual to more quick select the type of fly that will best emulate the insect for which they are fishing. In understanding these insects and the time during which they emerge from the water, there is a seasonal cycle for these insects throughout the year.
During the winter months, when the water is at its coldest temperatures, both midges and winter stoneflies emerge. During the spring months, when the water temperatures reach forties and fifties, blue-winged olives and hendricksons emerge. During the month of May, various type of mayflies emerge, such as sulphurs and green drakes.
During the summer months, tricos and callibaetis emerge at dawn and are very small. Finally, during fall months, when the weather becomes cooler, olives and mahogany duns emerge. Each of these seasonal cycles will allow individuals to determine their fly fishing strategy for the day, as water that is cold to the touch will require the use of slow nymphs while warm water permit the use of surface action flies.
Different insect species has specific characteristics that influence how trout will feed. For example, blue-winged olives will be present on overcast days, and trout will prefer to eat the struggling nymphs of the blue-winged olive rather than the perfect duns. Green drakes are large, green insects that trout will eat at dusk.
Tricos are small insects that requires steady hands to catch. Caddisflies come in several varieties, including elk hair caddisflies and large orange sedge flies that are active in October. The stoneflies like salmonflies will be on the move upstream during the spring when the snow melt on the mountains.
Each of the insects has a temperature at which they thrive. For example, the emergence of these insects from the water is linked to their biological need to avoid both freezing and overheating waters. The time of day also impact the type of insects that can be caught on the fly.
For example, trico spinners and midge clusters is active during the mornings. Olives will be active during the day, especially if there are clouds above the trout habitat areas. Sulphurs and caddisflies will be active after sunset.
Additionally, it is also possible to fish for hexagenia insects at night, but there must be enough moonlight for the trout to see the artificial flies. The water temperature will also affect the type of insects that are active. If the water temperature is forty degree, trout will only have access to midges.
However, if it is in the fifties, then spring ephemerids will be active. If the temperature reaches sixty degrees, then the summer insects are active in the water. Finally, if the temperature is above seventy degrees, the trout will experience stress in the water, and terrestrial flies may be a better option for feeding the trout.
One of the most common mistake with fly fishing is to ignore the game below the water’s surface. Trout always begin to hatch the eggs below the water’s surface. For example, if you use pheasant tail or hare’s ears flies, the trout will think that there is a nymph in the water.
Additionally, if you use zebra midges, the trout will think there is a pupa in the water. If there are no insects hatching in the water, use attractor flies such as the prince nymph to find the trout. Dry flies include parachute adams, comparaduns, and CDC duns that will mimic the emergers in the water.
Knowing the different types of flies and when to use them will allow a fly fisher to encounter many scenario when fishing. The other important consideration is to ensure that the size of the fly match the size of the insects in the water. The size of the fly is the most important attribute to match the natural insects to entice the trout to take the artificial flies.
The success in fly fishing can change with the weather, the elevation of the area, and the type of stream that you fish. For instance, freestone streams may feature green drake peaks in the May timeframe, but tailwater streams may have PMDs all summer long. In both cases, you should use a thermometer to check the water temperature and monitor for rises in the temperature to identify the type of insects that the trout are eating.
Furthermore, you should have confidence in the type of flies that you use so that you dont have to keep changing them out. By matching the correct type of fly with the hatch of the insects and nailing the drift of your flies, you will be more successful with your efforts at fly fishing.