Stonefly Hatches Continued

A few more things to watch for as you work your favorite freestone trout stream...

If the adults are returning to the water to lay eggs, a big bushy dry fly pattern will draw large trout to the surface. If things are quiet on top, a nymph pattern will do equally as well.

Shifting Gears

This is the time of year that I make the shift from fishing mainly lakes to focusing on streams and rivers. There are a few mayfly hatches at this time of year but is the stonefly hatches that really bring larger trout to their feeding stations. If water levels are favorable on your local trout stream, have a look along the banks for signs of fresh stonefly emergence, then choose your fly accordingly.

Stonefly emergence sites are obvious on bridge abutments
but if you look closely at larger rocks and tree trunks along the stream
you will be surprised at the number of shed exuvia that are present.

There are four species of stonefly exuvia here - all emerging at the same time of year.

The white filaments are the linings of the tracheal respiratory system that are shed along with the exoskeleton.

Looking for a Place to Happen

Yes, dragonflies are on the move. Working a nymph along the bottom and it's game on!

Epitheca spinigera - Fresh from the water and looking for a place to emerge

Get Real

If you are fishing lakes at this time of year forget about all of those attractor type fly patterns. Dragonfly and damselfly emergence is in full swing - so imitating the migrating nymphs as they make their way to shore is the way to go.