Posted by Jim E (69.92.166.54) on December 09, 2004 at 20:24:24:
Taking the time
Taking the time to learn more about aquatic insects is something many have varying opinions about. Some think it is nothing more than a waste of time. Others are infatuated with it, seeking to identify their specimens down to the Genus and species. Well, my suggestion is to find your self a place somewhere in between the two extremes and reap the benefits. It can/will make you a better fly fisherman. Besides, that is what the “fly” part of fly fisherman is all about, isn’t it ?
A basic knowledge of the insects and their respective life cycles is all that is necessary. Knowing the common names will do so the Genus species stuff really isn’t mandatory for the average fisherman (although it can’t hurt). Learning the different categories of mayfly nymphs (three basic categories) for instance, you find will help you determine where to fish and how to fish if that type of mayfly is active. Identifying caddis larvae can tell you the same things. In each of these cases, you will learn that some live in only rocky areas while others live in more silty environs.
In learning these things you’ll start to better understand the why and how fish feed because of what the bugs are doing. You can then choose your fly selections with more than a guess or an “I caught them on this last week” from another fisherman. Sure, information like that can help but with tailrace rivers nothing is consistent from day to day, including the insect activity.
So, where to start ? Well, first off being able to identify a mayfly, caddis fly, stone fly (what few there are in the LMF), midges and so on will help. Then learning each of their lifecycles. None of the egg cycles are important to fly fisherman, but some of the larvae stages are. Most all of the insects that have a nymph stage are important and all insects’ emergent stages can be keyed in on by the fish. Understanding these stages will help you know what tied flies are trying to imitate and at what level/depth to fish them.
Soon you’ll find that there are other insects that live their entire life on the bottom, never emerging or living a life above the water. Most of these critters are crustaceans with the most popular one of these being crawdads a.k.a. crayfish, mudbugs etc. But there are other much smaller crustaceans that are more important to the fish also.
In your search you will find that there is another whole world that exists under the water and that world is what mostly feeds the fish. So it behooves us to better understand its goings on possibly leading to our improved catching.
There are books available to help on this subject as well as internet avenues too. Or if you like I can try to explain what little I know about them through the tip of the weeks. ??
Once again, thanks for reading. Comments welcomed.
Jim Enns <*;)))))))))))><