Imitating Aquatic
Insects - Midges and
other Overlooked
Aquatic Insects
Insects - Midges and
other Overlooked
Aquatic Insects
Coming Soon!
Recommended Prerequisites: Getting Started, Knots
and Rigging Technique, The Perfect Cast, The
Perfect Presentation & the Understanding Trout
series.
and Rigging Technique, The Perfect Cast, The
Perfect Presentation & the Understanding Trout
series.
It may seem quite challenging to fish a fly
you can't see to trout you can't see, but
done correctly, it can produce some of
the largest fish you will ever see. This
program covers the midge’s life cycle
including the larva, pupa, and adult
stages as well as the egg laying process.
It teaches you when, where and how to
imitate each stage of the midge's life and
how to select patterns to match the
naturals.
In addition, the often overlooked by very
effective Crane Fly, Water Boatman,
Dobson Fly, Alderfly, Fish Fly, and
Aquatic Beetle are also covered in
each of the stages of life that are
important to anglers. The specialized
methods used to present imitations of
these insects and the times and places
they are effective in taking trout can lead
an angler to discover opportunities that
are often passed right over.
you can't see to trout you can't see, but
done correctly, it can produce some of
the largest fish you will ever see. This
program covers the midge’s life cycle
including the larva, pupa, and adult
stages as well as the egg laying process.
It teaches you when, where and how to
imitate each stage of the midge's life and
how to select patterns to match the
naturals.
In addition, the often overlooked by very
effective Crane Fly, Water Boatman,
Dobson Fly, Alderfly, Fish Fly, and
Aquatic Beetle are also covered in
each of the stages of life that are
important to anglers. The specialized
methods used to present imitations of
these insects and the times and places
they are effective in taking trout can lead
an angler to discover opportunities that
are often passed right over.
Midges and Other Overlooked Aquatic Insects:
Chironomidae:
You will find that most anglers carry very few, usually just one or two, midge patterns in their fly
boxes, yet midges are available and eaten by trout throughout the year in all the trout streams and
lakes in the United States. The main reason for this lack of attention for the midge is simply that
many anglers just do not believe in the fly’s effectiveness. After all, why would a large trout want
to eat such a tiny morsel of food? Why would any angler want to fish with such a small fly when a
larger one is easier to see, and would seem to be much more attractive to fish, especially the larger
ones.
Midges are small, usually very small. So small that most of us have a very difficult time tying them
on our tippet. It is such a problem that it led to the development of a “midge threader”, a very
handy device we might add. But make no mistake about it, the little midges are very effective on
all trout streams and lakes and yes, they in fact, will catch large trout.
Chironomidae:
You will find that most anglers carry very few, usually just one or two, midge patterns in their fly
boxes, yet midges are available and eaten by trout throughout the year in all the trout streams and
lakes in the United States. The main reason for this lack of attention for the midge is simply that
many anglers just do not believe in the fly’s effectiveness. After all, why would a large trout want
to eat such a tiny morsel of food? Why would any angler want to fish with such a small fly when a
larger one is easier to see, and would seem to be much more attractive to fish, especially the larger
ones.
Midges are small, usually very small. So small that most of us have a very difficult time tying them
on our tippet. It is such a problem that it led to the development of a “midge threader”, a very
handy device we might add. But make no mistake about it, the little midges are very effective on
all trout streams and lakes and yes, they in fact, will catch large trout.
James netting midge pupa
emerging in the surface skim.
emerging in the surface skim.
One commonly known fact about the midge is that it provides fishing action during the cold,
winter months when nothing else may be hatching. From late fall until early spring, in many
locations they are the only thing hatching. This is certainly one great reason to fish midge patterns
but it may also tend to cause some anglers to think that the only time midges are effective for
trout is during the cold months of the year when nothing else works well. This is a very false
belief. Midges may be the best approach to use on any given day during the year, even days
when major mayfly or caddisfly hatches are occurring. In many streams and lakes where midges
are a major part of the trout’s diet, fish may take midges selectively over other much larger flies.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that if the weather is nice and warm, you don’t need your
midge box. That may be a big mistake.
winter months when nothing else may be hatching. From late fall until early spring, in many
locations they are the only thing hatching. This is certainly one great reason to fish midge patterns
but it may also tend to cause some anglers to think that the only time midges are effective for
trout is during the cold months of the year when nothing else works well. This is a very false
belief. Midges may be the best approach to use on any given day during the year, even days
when major mayfly or caddisfly hatches are occurring. In many streams and lakes where midges
are a major part of the trout’s diet, fish may take midges selectively over other much larger flies.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that if the weather is nice and warm, you don’t need your
midge box. That may be a big mistake.
It is not easy to detect that trout are feeding on midges even when they are doing it selectively at
the exclusion of everything else. Angler may spot midges on the water and simply not be able to
see trout taking them. It is even more difficult to spot trout taking the emerging midges and
almost impossible to see them taking the larvae.
Trout feeding on adult midges tend to hold just beneath the surface where they can easily sip the
midges. They make very subtle rise forms and are usually fairly easily spooked since they are
holding so shallow. Bad presentations can easily spook them and well as your presence and
motions made casting. Wakes made from wading will spook trout holding very shallow also.
the exclusion of everything else. Angler may spot midges on the water and simply not be able to
see trout taking them. It is even more difficult to spot trout taking the emerging midges and
almost impossible to see them taking the larvae.
Trout feeding on adult midges tend to hold just beneath the surface where they can easily sip the
midges. They make very subtle rise forms and are usually fairly easily spooked since they are
holding so shallow. Bad presentations can easily spook them and well as your presence and
motions made casting. Wakes made from wading will spook trout holding very shallow also.
Copyright 2008 James Marsh, All Rights Reserved
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Get Your Ph.D. in Fly-Fishing Right Here!
It is thought that midges represent about one-half of
the insects in streams and lakes. Although streams
and lakes with soft bottoms and weed beds usually
have more than other types of water, if the water
supports trout it has midges. This includes fast flowing
freestone mountain streams. It does not matter
whether the bottom is muddy, rocky, or sandy.
Midge specie of one type or another can survive as
long as algae exist for them to feed on. Lakes, pond
and sloughs are usually loaded with midge activity.
Another important consideration is that midges
normally hatch periodically just about year round and
are available as food for trout in the larvae, pupae or
adult stages throughout the year.
Midges are small two winged flies that resemble
mosquitoes. They begin life from an egg deposited by
swarming adults as they mate and skim over the
surface of the water. Some species deposit their eggs
underwater on structure and plants. Some of the
species are free-swimming larvae and others form
tubes from the bottom materials that they live in.
the insects in streams and lakes. Although streams
and lakes with soft bottoms and weed beds usually
have more than other types of water, if the water
supports trout it has midges. This includes fast flowing
freestone mountain streams. It does not matter
whether the bottom is muddy, rocky, or sandy.
Midge specie of one type or another can survive as
long as algae exist for them to feed on. Lakes, pond
and sloughs are usually loaded with midge activity.
Another important consideration is that midges
normally hatch periodically just about year round and
are available as food for trout in the larvae, pupae or
adult stages throughout the year.
Midges are small two winged flies that resemble
mosquitoes. They begin life from an egg deposited by
swarming adults as they mate and skim over the
surface of the water. Some species deposit their eggs
underwater on structure and plants. Some of the
species are free-swimming larvae and others form
tubes from the bottom materials that they live in.
| This shot is of the San Juan River in New Mexico. The DVD was shot on numerous tailwaters, spring creeks and freestone streams throughout the United States. |
This brown trout was taken on
a size 26 midge pupa imitation.
a size 26 midge pupa imitation.
A biot midge
pupa imitation.
pupa imitation.
Midge Larva
Damselflies:
Damselflies adults are iridescent colored larger flies that are predominately found in
slower moving water and lakes. They feed on other aquatic insects. They rely heavily on
large populations of midges and some species of caddis and mayflies. The more alkaline
lakes and pond hold larger populations of damselflies than those with a higher acid level.
Fish feed on them aggressively.
Damselflies adults are iridescent colored larger flies that are predominately found in
slower moving water and lakes. They feed on other aquatic insects. They rely heavily on
large populations of midges and some species of caddis and mayflies. The more alkaline
lakes and pond hold larger populations of damselflies than those with a higher acid level.
Fish feed on them aggressively.
Dragonflies:
If you have spent much time around water, you could
not’t help but to have noticed the dragonfly that
reminds one of a miniature helicopter when it come
busing by sometimes at speeds of up the thirty miles
per hour. Many may not even realize the dragonfly
is an aquatic insect, especially when they are noticed
some distance away from water. However,
dragonflies are a relatively large insect that inhabits
lakes, ponds and slow moving streams, although
some specie inhabit riffles and runs of faster moving
streams.
If you have spent much time around water, you could
not’t help but to have noticed the dragonfly that
reminds one of a miniature helicopter when it come
busing by sometimes at speeds of up the thirty miles
per hour. Many may not even realize the dragonfly
is an aquatic insect, especially when they are noticed
some distance away from water. However,
dragonflies are a relatively large insect that inhabits
lakes, ponds and slow moving streams, although
some specie inhabit riffles and runs of faster moving
streams.
Midge Larva.