Does anyone have any info on the insect hatches that we get around here? Species, time of year, weather, etc....??
Illinois insect hatches?
BrookfieldAngler
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Does anyone have any info on the insect hatches that we get around here? Species, time of year, weather, etc....??
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I should have mentioned insect hatches! Thanks though, Travis
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Sounds like something the DRiFT guys would know. It can be a vague question. I take it fly fishing is the reason you inquire?
I saw a major hatch in March on the Duper last year. Hard to tell when, some bugs only have a 5 week life cycle. A mayflies adult cycle is only a few days.
With that a lot guys carry the whole life cycle just in case.
Granted if that is why you ask....
I saw a major hatch in March on the Duper last year. Hard to tell when, some bugs only have a 5 week life cycle. A mayflies adult cycle is only a few days.
With that a lot guys carry the whole life cycle just in case.
Granted if that is why you ask....
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Stole this from a Driftless webpage
Hendricksons: Early April to Mid June
Sulphurs: May to July
March Browns: May to July
Light Cahill: June to August
Hex: Mid June to Mid July
Blue Winged Olives: All seasons, especially heavy in spring
Tiny Olives: July to September
Tricos: July to September
Black Caddis: March to May
Tan Caddis: June to September
Tiny Black Stoneflies: April to May
Ants: May to September
Beetles: May to September
Crickets: May to September
Grasshoppers: June to September
Light Midges: June to September
Dark Midges: March to May
Scuds, Sowbugs, Leeches, Minnows: All seasons
Craneflies: May to July
http://www.driftlessangler.com/local-water/local-water
They will tell you it changes year to year but pay attention to what is on the river and in the guts of the fish.
Hendricksons: Early April to Mid June
Sulphurs: May to July
March Browns: May to July
Light Cahill: June to August
Hex: Mid June to Mid July
Blue Winged Olives: All seasons, especially heavy in spring
Tiny Olives: July to September
Tricos: July to September
Black Caddis: March to May
Tan Caddis: June to September
Tiny Black Stoneflies: April to May
Ants: May to September
Beetles: May to September
Crickets: May to September
Grasshoppers: June to September
Light Midges: June to September
Dark Midges: March to May
Scuds, Sowbugs, Leeches, Minnows: All seasons
Craneflies: May to July
http://www.driftlessangler.com/local-water/local-water
They will tell you it changes year to year but pay attention to what is on the river and in the guts of the fish.
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Perfect!!Navyfisher said:
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On ponds this might be helpful, but on the rivers around here match two things, crayfish and baitfish. Otherwise you're just going to frustrate the crap out of yourself.
Went up to the driftless area years ago. Spent the better part of the day matching the hatch and not catching crap. On a break on a small bridge a guy comes out of the creek with a creel full of big gills and a few trout. He was using a 5 foot ultralight and had a small mepps spinner tied on.
So I walked up stream, tied on a clouser, flung it as far downstream as I could. Let it settle to the bottom and jerk stripped it back to me. Big trout came flying out from beneath the undercut banks on every cast, but I couldn't hook any. Were the first fish I had seen all day.
Match the hatch.
Went up to the driftless area years ago. Spent the better part of the day matching the hatch and not catching crap. On a break on a small bridge a guy comes out of the creek with a creel full of big gills and a few trout. He was using a 5 foot ultralight and had a small mepps spinner tied on.
So I walked up stream, tied on a clouser, flung it as far downstream as I could. Let it settle to the bottom and jerk stripped it back to me. Big trout came flying out from beneath the undercut banks on every cast, but I couldn't hook any. Were the first fish I had seen all day.
Match the hatch.
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As with all hatch charts - never an exact thing. Use your own observations first. Note the bugs, the trouts behavior, rise forms, etc to base your fly decision on. What is happening today, may not happen tomorrow. Charts may say March Browns are hatching this month, but caddis are the hot ticket ! Observing water/fish is a more important skill to have, than actually learning to fish !
http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/mwhatches/
http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?subject=254
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/mayx.html
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/stonex.html
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/caddisx.html
http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/mwhatches/
http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?subject=254
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/mayx.html
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/stonex.html
http://www.wisflyfishing.com/caddisx.html
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Thanks! Most of my hatch quandaries are geared towards the freshwater bonefish - carp. I know a group of particularly finicky carp that I want to hook up with this summer. I often see them sipping bugs off the top and turning anything that is not tiny and bug related down.jwcustomflies said:
I definitely agree! I do a lot of pond fishing as well as rivers and while crayfish and minnow patterns are on the top of my list for the rivers, I have a few situations in mind for the tiny bug flies.Ken G said:
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They're eating caddis when they're doing that. The caddis hatch is the only time I've seen them feed like that, otherwise it's all below surface.BrookfieldAngler said:
Sight fish for them at that point. Put some furry light brown thing in where all those big orange lips are sucking away like pigs at a trough and when your furry thing disappears, set the hook and hang on.
Otherwise, all that bug information is good for trout, but pretty useless in the land of no trout.
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And the list NF posted would confirm that as it is something I see through the summer months of June - September. See...I knew my query would lead to the answers I needed.
And yes...all of this trout talk is irrelevant on the DPR and the ponds i fish. Still, many species of fish - large and small - are big insect fans.
And yes...all of this trout talk is irrelevant on the DPR and the ponds i fish. Still, many species of fish - large and small - are big insect fans.
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jwc already submitted the Orvis site I was going to suggest. However, I work near the store by Michigan Ave and occasionally BS my lunch hour away there and can attest that the guys there are really helpful and approachable. You can stop in or give them a call anytime with questions related to local fly activity. There stuff may be pricey, but they readily offer up informed info. Good luck BA.... :thumbup:
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BrookfieldAngler said:
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