Meet the Key Players (lakes)

Here is a list of the core bug and life stage patterns that I always have with me when fishing lakes (again, these are all contained in a single fly box):

1.   Midges (Chironomidae)

a.   3 color variants

                                       i.    Tan Pupa

                                     ii.    Green Pupa

                                    iii.    Maroon Pupa

2.   Scud/Freshwater Shrimp (Gammarus)

a.   2 color variants

                                       i.    Olive

                                     ii.    Pale dun

3.   Corixidae (Backswimmers)

a.   2 variants

                                       i.    Sinking version

                                     ii.    Floating version

4.   Dragonflies (Anisoptera)

a.   Aeshnidae (crawlers)

                                       i.    Nymph

b.   Libellulidae/Corduliidae (sprawlers)

                                       i.    Nymph

5.   Damselflies (Zygoptera)

a.   Lestidae/Coenagrionidae

                                       i.    Nymph

6.   Mayflies (Ephemeroptera)

a.   Callibaetis

                                       i.    Nymph

                                     ii.    Emerger

                                    iii.    Dun

7.   Caddisflies (Trichoptera)

a.   Phryganeidae

                                       i.    Larva

                                     ii.    Pupa

                                    iii.    Adult

b.   Limnephilidae

                                       i.    Pupa

                                     ii.    Adult

Without a doubt, Midges are the number one food item in any lake – and also one of the most under-utilized by fly anglers. There are almost 100 genera and several hundred species in Alberta so it makes no sense trying to identify the hatches. Instead focus on the general size and color of the naturals. I carry pupa immitations of the three most common colors in my core fly box, along with a dozen more patterns (mostly pupa, but a few larva and emergers) in a small hatch specific box.

Midge (Chironomid) larva

The second most important prey items in lakes are scuds. Most are some shade of olive but in some lakes they become infected with parasites that make them more active than usual, and cause them to fade to a bluish-green dun color.

I have already discussed the importance of sprawlers and crawlers, and posted a video showing how they swim. The rest of the critters on the list will likely be discussed in more detail over the summer.

One pattern that is conspicuously absent from the list but one that I also always travel with (there is just no room in my core box for them) are Leech immitations. Black, maroon, and brown with orange or black speckles are the colors I prefer.

 

Erpobdella punctata a common leech found in lakes