1. Insects of the Stream An overview of the insects important to the successful fly angler

2. Why know the bugs? Insects are the fishes main diet! Insects are the fishes main diet! Certain insects thrive during specific times Certain insects thrive during specific times Insects hatch during specific times Insects hatch during specific times Insects go through life cycles Insects go through life cycles Even having a beginners knowledge about insects will greatly increase your success on the water Even having a beginners knowledge about insects will greatly increase your success on the water

3. Life Cycle Idea General idea of the lifecycle General idea of the lifecycle Very similar among all insects, with some differences that can be studied later on Very similar among all insects, with some differences that can be studied later on

4. What this means… Is you can fish with different techniques targeting not only different types of insects, but their different stages of life Is you can fish with different techniques targeting not only different types of insects, but their different stages of life Adults, nymphs, etc… Adults, nymphs, etc…

5. Major groups Mayflies Mayflies Caddisflies Caddisflies Terrestrials Terrestrials Other Other Stoneflies Stoneflies Midges Midges

6. Mayflies Usually 3 tails on both adults and nymphs Usually 3 tails on both adults and nymphs Adults have large upright wings Adults have large upright wings Nymphs have gills on their abdomen Nymphs have gills on their abdomen

7. …more mayflies

8. Mayfly imitation

9. Stoneflies Usually 2 tails on the nymph Usually 2 tails on the nymph Adults have large wings laying flat against the body Adults have large wings laying flat against the body Nymphs have gills on their thorax, sort of in their ‘armpits’ Nymphs have gills on their thorax, sort of in their ‘armpits’

10. …more stoneflies

11. Stonefly imitation

12. Caddisflies Adults have large wings laying over back in a tent style Adults have large wings laying over back in a tent style Nymphs live in self built cases of different materials, some are free living w/o a case Nymphs live in self built cases of different materials, some are free living w/o a case

13. …more caddisflies

14. Caddisfly imitation

15. Terrestrials Terrestrials represent any insects living on land that my fall or fly onto the water where they may be fed upon Terrestrials represent any insects living on land that my fall or fly onto the water where they may be fed upon These include beatles, ants, hoppers, etc… These include beatles, ants, hoppers, etc…

16. …more terrestrials

17. Terrestrial imitation

18. Midges Midges can be mistaken as mosquitoes Midges can be mistaken as mosquitoes They are tiny, two winged insects They are tiny, two winged insects Larva looks like small worms Larva looks like small worms Craneflies are bigger Craneflies are bigger

19. …more midges

20. Other insects Include hellgrammites and fresh water scuds Include hellgrammites and fresh water scuds

21. Other aquatic life Other aquatic life exists that fish feed on. Not limited to insects… Other aquatic life exists that fish feed on. Not limited to insects… Worms, leaches, snails, slugs, crayfish, etc… Worms, leaches, snails, slugs, crayfish, etc…

22. What you can learn more about Specifics on species Specifics on species BWOs, Sulfurs, March Browns, Drakes BWOs, Sulfurs, March Browns, Drakes Hatch Charts Hatch Charts Know what time of year/day to expect them Know what time of year/day to expect them http://www.lycoming.edu/orgs/flyco/streams.html http://www.lycoming.edu/orgs/flyco/streams.html http://www.lycoming.edu/orgs/flyco/streams.html Every single insect doesn’t have a specific fly pattern. The gold-ribbed hares ear pattern mimics a wide array of insect nymphs thriving in the water Every single insect doesn’t have a specific fly pattern. The gold-ribbed hares ear pattern mimics a wide array of insect nymphs thriving in the water