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Midges & Crane Flies ( Aquatic Diptera) The subject of aquatic Diptera is vast, fascinating and much too comprehensive to treat here, except in a most general manner. Most Diptera are not associated with trout waters but are slow water species of the warmer climates. Thus we will limit our discussion to those that seem to important to the diet of the trout: midges and crane flies. Proper classification of suborders, families, subfamilies, and so on will not be attempted. The larvae of the Diptera, wormlike and legless, live under or attached to stones, in the muck where they build tubes, and in vegetation ( depending on the family or genus). They feed on algae, plankton, and detritus. Generally, the larvae of mideges and crane flies are herbivorous, although some of the large crame fly larvae ( which may reach 3 inches in length) are carnivorous and can consume mayfly nymphs and even stone fly nymphs. Like caddis flies, Diptera have a complete metamorphoisi a four stage life cycle; egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. The egg, larval, and pupal stages are generally passed underwater, although some larvae migate to stream banks to pupate. The larvae may mature in a few weeks or take as long as two years. Most trout stream species haver several broods per season. The adults are two winged, as denoted by the Diptera; the hind pair of wings, reduced to club shaped balancing organs, are called halteres. Most species are equipped with mouth parts adapted for sucking liquids, and most adults ar nonbiting, but those from some famileis such as simuliidae (blackflies) and Heleidae (punkies) can inflict painful bites, as most fly fishermen can attest. The presence and relative importance of the various species within familie will vary greatly from one trout stream to another, according to specialized habitats. We have foun, however, that with few exceptions there are only a limited number of families of midges and crane flies that may be important enough to cause selective feeding by trout, especially brown trout, which are the most efficient of selective feeders in the trout family. Even these limited Diptera types are usually important only on sluggish headwaters and on silt laden meadow or farmland streams, or perhaps on long, flat stretches or quiet pools of mountain rivers. The larvae of the shallow, swift water species such as those of the simulium (blackfly) Blepharocera (net winged midge), and Palpomyia (punkie or no see um) genera seldom prompt selective feeding by mature fish, b ut young trout's as well as bait fish feed on them often. Chironomidae species, which number in the thousands are nonbiting midges. The adults range from 2mm in size to almost 1 inch, but the most common are the tiny midge forms, approximately 3 to 6 mm size(28 to 18 hook). The colors of the larvae range from white to red, and to gree, brown, and black. The red larvae are called bloodworms and owe their color to a respiratory blood pigment that enables them to exist in streams of low oxygen content. Most of the larvae mix saliva with silt and sand to construct openeded tubes on the bottom. Like caddis flies, they spin a net across the tube opening that filters plankton and detritus matter. Pupation usually takes place in the tube, and thus they are virtually inaccessible to trout during the larval stage. The pupae come to the surface to emerge; there they may hatch immediately or hang suspended for a short while. Like the other insect orders, this vulnerable period varies within the species or according to the water and air temperature. A surface ruffled by winds may also cost the emerging pupae precious time. We have witnessed heavy feeding to the pupae and crippled adults on silt ridden streams and headwater bogs during thes emergences. The same waters can produce selective feeding to the large Diptera forms of the family Tipulidae, commonly called crane flies. These larvae can reach lengths up to 70 mm, but the size range is usually 10 to 50 mm. Most crane margins. Some live in wet meadowlands and pastures, and thes forms are obviously not important to the trout's diet. A few geera, however, suchas Antacha and Hexatomia, are wholly aquatic. Owning to the vast number of species, and size variances within, the midge and crane fly families are very difficult to anticipate and prepare for , as far as fly tying and the emergences are concerned. Thus anglers should record any activity that may have caused selective feeding by trout, so that they can return to the river better prepared the next time. by; Caucci and Nastasi Masters on the Nymph www.seattlegrapevine.com/user/zz_troutski/blogs
Tags: Fly Fishing Nymphs Harmony Rivers Lakes Freedom
Stone Flies (Plecoptera) Stone flies are primitive insects, fossils show that they have existed for 220 million years; Stone flies generally represent a much smaller percentage of the trout's diet than do May flies and caddis flies. This type of generality can be quite misleading however, forever if stone flies represented less than 10 percent of the trout's diet on a particular stream, it is quite possible to arrive on the that stream for several days of fishing only to find that prolific stone fly emergences or oviposting flights are in progress, causing trout to feed selectively. It may be the only significant stone fly activity of the year on that particular stream, yet if the angler were unprepared he would probably have a very unsuccessful fishing trip. Hence, serious fly fishermen should make every effort to learn about this interesting order of insects and the effect they have on trout. The size range of stone flies is extreme; some tiny Capnia species may be only 4 to 5 millimeters in length, while the legendary pteronarcys flies approach 50 mm (2 inches) in length. Generally, the life cycle of the smaller stone flies is one year, while maturity may take two or three years for the large Pteronarcys and Acroneuria stone flies. The combination of seasonal succession, feeding habits, and habitat preferences reduces the competition among the species of the stone fly and species of other orders. For example, the tiny Capnia and Taeniopteryx stone fly nymphs spend spring and summer in the substrate as tiny mummy like (depausing) nymphs. They resume feeding on algae and detritus from September to late winter or early spring. Many hatch through the winter and early spring, although April hatches are the best known to fly fishermen. We have fond memories of early April Teniopteryx activity on the gentle Brodhead's in Pennsylvania. The nymph imitations and flush floating emerger patterns did well when the activity didn't clash with the prolific early season Beats may fly, which emerge in similar water temperature rages 42 – 52 degrees Fahrenheit. There are six stone fly families in North America; three are herbivorous (vegetarians_ and are of the Frilipalpa group; three are carnivorous or omnivorous and belong to the Selipalpia group. The herbivorous group includes pteronarcidae, Peltoperlidae, and Neoruidae families, most of which feed on value green algae, diatoms, and plant matter. The pteronarcidae family includes the giant stone flies of pteronarcys genus. Ptervonarcys californica is called the salmon fly by western anglers and is responsible for legendary hatches on such rocky mountain rivers as the Yellowstone, Madison, and Big Hole. Pteronarcys dorsata is the eastern and Midwestern equivalent of the genus, but the hatches are not nearly as significant. The Neoruidae family includes the tiny winterish and early spring hatching stone flies of the Capnia subfamily Capuiidae_ and Taeniopteryx genera subfamily Taeniopteryginae). And early black stone fly (Capnia), given to these flies for their early emergence. The carnivorous or omnivorous stone flies are the Perlodidae, Chlorperidae, and Perlidae families; the latter are true carnivores. The perlodidae and chlorperidae stone flies are omnivorous and many species of the latter are considered herbivorous. The Acroneuria nymphs (family perlidae, subfamily Acroneurinae) are the most aggressive carnivores. They are prolific on the larger stretches of our best eastern need Midwestern trout rivers. They are flattened in cross section and their color patterns are strikingly contrasting and reliable for identification. The plant eating families are usually round in cross section and concolorous. Most stone flies crawl out of the water on rocks or other objects before they emerge as adults. Thus the act of emergence generally sets up few feeding opportunities for the trout. A few species may hatch on the surface, especially if the stream lacks boulders or other convenient emergence objects. The best opportunities, as far as the trout are concerned, occur during surface activity or when the nymphs are migrating to their emergence sites. The adults are quick afoot and do very little flying once they reach the shore. Mating takes place not in the air but on the ground or on plants. As with the caddis, many species, many species of stone flies feed in the winged stage. The filipalpa stone flies are known vegetation feeders, while the Selipalpia adult stone flies (carnivores) have insufficient mouth parts and do not feed. The large vegetarian Pteronarcys stone flies are an exception and do not feed in the adult stage. Ovipositing is performed in various ways. Many species crawl to the water's edge to deposit their eggs uneventfully. Many species of Taeniopteryxl, Capnia, and Allocopnia alight on the water to release their eggs. This presents better opportunities for the trout when the insects are in sufficient numbers. Other spring and summer forms, such as the large Pteronarcidae and Perlidae families, drop eggs en masse from the air. Over the years, we have found the large stone fly nymph imitations to be the best producers during periods of inactivity. Imitations of the Acroneuria group are especially effective, since these carnivores crawl from the crevices more often than other groups while hunting for food or migrating to other areas. Pteronarcys imitations may do better on western rivers or on the head waters of eastern trout rivers where Acroneuria nymphs are scarce. Although these larger nymphs are not available in numbers sufficient to cause selective feeding, they may be to the trout the most appealing subsurface food during periods of inactivity. Thus it is understandable why the large stone fly nymphs such as the Golden Stone, Catskill Coiler, Montana, Bitch Creek, and Stone fly Creeper, in sizes 4 thru 10, are the top choice of the most self confessed nymphers. “Masters on the Nymph” By Caucci and Nastasi http://www.seattlegrapevine.com/user/zz_troutski/blogs
Tags: Stone Flies Fly Fishing Madison River Yellowstone
It may not be apparent to the casual observer, or even to the novice fly fisherman, but beneath the stark beauty of a tumbling trout stream there lives a complex, thriving community of life. This community of microscopic organisms, aquatic insects, and fishes, is quite intricate. Each form of life, from the tiniest to the largest, is interlinked and dependent upon the other for survival. Scientists call these communities ecosystems, food chains, or food webs. Aquatic insects, which include subsurface forms of the mayflies, caddis flies, stone flies, and midges, are the primary converters in turning microscopic food into bite size food for higher forms of life such as the trout. There are many orders of aquatic insects, and many families, genera, and species within each order. In their underwater state all these insects are called nymphs or larvae. The characteristic of these forms are discussed in the following: If a trout stream is health, the most significant aquatic insect group will be the prolific mayflies of the insect order Ephemeroptera. Also significant, but presenting fewer feeding opportunities for the dependent trout, are the caddis flies (order Trichoptera ). The stone flies (order Plecopter) and the but on some streams certain species provide heavy periodic feeding: thus they are important to fly fishermen. There are other insect order, such as odonata (dragon flies and damselflies) and Hemiptera and Coleoptera (bugs and beetles), that can also be of major importance on streams with specialized habitats. But for the most part these would be exceptions to the norm on typical mountain streams or river, and we will limit our discussion to the first four orders named. MAYFLIES (EPHEMEROPTERA) Mayflies and trout have almost identical requirements for nutrients, water temperature, oxygen, and stream bottom habitat. With few exceptions a stream unfit for mayflies is usually unfit for trout. There are species within the orders of the insects that can tolerate pollution to the extent where oxygen is reduced considerably or is nonexistent. But such waters are not real trout waters, and so they will not be included here. In thousands of seine test on hundreds of rivers during the past decade, we have found that the mayfly represents the bulk of the trout's diet. Mayflies exist in every conceivable stream habitat that is not severely polluted or completely smothered by silt. There have been recent claims that mayflies do not tolerate pollution as do insects of other orders, be we have not found this to be the case in our research, at least not on legitimate trout waters. On the contrary, in many cases we've found that where mild domestic pollutions was introduced to highly oxygenated, acidic streams in the form of nutrients, they may fly population has actually increased. Few trout river have taken the human abuse that has been given such famous domesticated rivers as the Beaverkill, the main Ausable (below Ausable Forks, New York), and the Au Sable (Michigan) to name a few. Over the last decades these rivers have been altered through logging, road building, and domestic development, yet today records show many similar examples. The point is that mayfly communities are surprisingly resilient and can with stand most changes in their environment short of lethal industrial pollution or wholesale domestic development. On the same track, however, we have found that siltation, as a result of poor farming practice and overgrazing is the biggest threat to the survival of the mayfly and other oxygen loving insects such as caddis flies and stone flies. The clearing of land to the banks of a stream results in devastating siltation, which covers up the crevices in the streambed, eliminating the microscopic food farms and apartment complexes where the nymphs and larvae feed and live. The cementing of rocky crevices on the stream bottom changes the entire ecosystem. The elimination of trees and brush not only causes band erosion but also makes the stream heat up to intolerable temperatures, which reduces the vital oxygen supply so necessary to both insects and trout. Mayflies can be classified in six extremely important families so far as the angler is concerned. (This deviation from the current technical mayfly classifications should prove more efficient and easier to use for the fly fisher, especially at streamside.) The nymphs of these families can be classified into four basic types: crawlers, clingers, swimmers, and burrowers. Each type is equipped with specific body characteristics and appendages, enabling it to survive in its required habitat. The crawlers are variable in size and appearance and generally inhabit stretches of medium current, although they may also be found in fast and slow water types; they consist of the prolific Ephemerellidae family, the feeble legged Leptophlebiidae family, and the tiny mayflies of the Caenidae family. The clingers are the swift water Heptageniidae family. The enormous Baetidae family is made up of quick swimmers, while the burrowing types are of the family Ephemeridae. The mayflies that fall within these basic nymph types, including all related genera and species, are treated comprehensively in our book Hatches, which also includes the evolution, biology, and identification keys of the mayflies. What follows here is a brief summary of the stages of the mayfly and its vulnerability to the trout in each stage. When the mayfly eggs hatch on the stream bottom, the tiny nymphs (1/2 mm in length) feed on algae, diatoms, and detritus in the protective crevices of rocks. As the nymphs feed, they out row each of the nymphal skins and molt, many times, before they are mature enough to emerge as winged insects. Contrary to the belief of many fly fishermen, during the nymphal stage (which constitutes 99 percent of its life span_ the mayfly is practically inaccessible to the trout, except during emergence. Only when they leave their hideouts during emergence or, a few days or hours prior to emergence sites, are the mayflies readily available to trout. Over the years, our research records and autopsies reveal the most trout seldom feed selectively on subsurface forms of specific insect species unless the species is active and ready to emerge, even though the streams may be teeming with nymphs or larvae. When emergence is near, the mayfly nymph's wing pads become much darker and its body becomes more buoyant as the stomach is filled with air. The winged state of the insect within begins to push, stretch, and enlarge against its outer chitinous skeleton, commonly referred to as the nymphal shuck. The nymphs stop feeding now, and their only interest is in migrating to advantageous emergence positions. As the nymphs move to these emergence sites, their now buoyant bodies frequently cause them to lose their footing, and they float dangerously up from the protection of the bottom. Sensing their vulnerability, they swim and wiggle desperately downward to regain their hold on the safe bottom. Many are gobbled up by the trout. The trout's selectivity at this time affords a good opportunity for the angler who chooses the proper nymph pattern and presents it correctly. When the hatching hour arrives, the thorax begins to split. The nymphs leave the security of the stream's bottom for the last time and ascend toward the surface. This activity results in advantageous feeding opportunities for the trout, which become very selective as the size, color, shape, and behavior of the naturals. Some duns successfully pop through the water and into the atmosphere, using the surface tension as an aid in evacuating their nymphal shucks. Some evacuate their shucks under water. During these periods the trout seldom take the surface duns, preferring the more vulnerable submerged duns or emerges, which have yet to unfold their wings from their thoracic humps. According to the air temperature or the clumsiness of the individual species, the duns may linger on the surface for long periods of time, setting up even more opportunities for the trout. When they finally become airborne they settle in the foliage, where they hide under leaves or on branches. Here they shed their skins for the last time and transform into the brilliant, glossy winged insects called imagoes or spinners. Shortly after the final molt the males mass in swarms over the riffles. The females flit into the undulating swarms intermittently, securing mates. Once paired they leave the swarm to copulate. Eggs fertilized, the females deposit their eggs to the water in various methods. Some jettison them en masse, dipping their posteriors into the water, while other (such as the large Ephermera burrower_ lie prone on the surface, quivering as they extrude their eggs. Others crawl beneath the surface of the water to deposit their eggs on the bottom. Their mission accomplished, both males and females fall to the surface in incredible numbers, spent, completing their cycle. All the trout need to do is feed on them effortlessly from a convenient lie. By; Caucci and Nastasi www.seattlegrapevine.com/user/zz_troutski/blogs
Tags: Mayfly Stonefly Rivers Fly Fishing Fly Tying Harmony
This method has been described by some as the repeated series of leisering lifts used to fish the water. That is a fair description and while it does not require the preciseness of presentation of the lift in order to be more than marginally effective, the artificial must be a fair to good imitation of a natural found in the stretch being fished. In fishing either method, the line used must be one that takes the fly down very quickly. If the botton is relatively free from obstructions, I prefer a very fast sinking, or even Hi D line. I want the fly on the bottom as quickly as I can get it thr, so that I can control how and where the lifting action will occur. If there are bottom obstructions, one may have to use a sink tip line with a very fast sinking tip. Also, leaders should not be over seven and a half feet, about 3X. In both methods I usually want some weight on the leader a foot or so ahead of the fly. This weight actually appears to enhance the action of the Rising to the surface method. The cast usually is across or across and down. It is not often posible to control the fly in this method when it is cast upstream and is drifting toward you. After the cast, when the fly has had time to sink to the bottom, take in the slack, the lift the rod tip from low over the water up to the eleven o'clock position smoothly and evenly. Immediately drop the rod tip back to about two feet above the water, at the same time recover the slack. The slack must be taken in swiftly so that strikes, which often come at the time, will not be missed. Yet , this must be done carefully, so as not to move the fly. This is important, and requires some practice. Then the sequence is repeated over an over until the leader comes to the rod tip, even if, at that time, the fly is being worked straight upcurrent. I have had many hits with this method when the leader was just about to enter the tiptop. The method is a favorite of many angler, especially those who like to give the fly some action cnstantly. It is a very effective method of covering the water, and the action given the fly enhaces the chance of its being seen by a fish. It can be an effective method anytime, but it works better if some sort of insect activity is taking place. This often depends on water temperature, and in streams in theis area this method works best when the temperature is between 58 and 64 degrees fahrenheit. by Charles Brooks www.seattlegrapevine.com/user/zz_troutski/blogs
Tags: Charles Brooks Tying In The Round Stonefly Flies Fly Fishing
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