Trout Diet

Since stoneflies stay in their larval stage for an average of three years, it is very common to discover various sizes of larvae at any one time.  This is a blessing for "match the hatch" fly fishermen.  As a rule of thumb, I like to fish as big as possible.  Bigger flies will attract bigger trout if they match the natural and are fished correctly.  Stoneflies require faster water and a river bottom lined with larger rocks and boulders.  The wonderful thing about a stonefly hatch is that trout, really big trout, will often move into parts of the water that they normally wont venture into to find these meaty insects.  After a long winter, as temperatures start to rise, trout are starting to get a little life back into them again.  This is when stonefly hatches start to occur.  

The larvae will make their way across the current to find dry land.  Once there they look for shelter near the water to finish their metamorphosis into an adult.  This journey to dry land makes them vulnerable to hungry trout that have moved into position to take advantage of the chance for a nice meal.  The trout will often leave shelter and put themselves into a vulnerable position themselves in pursuit of the stoneflies, so if the hatch is on, look where you might not think trout would normally be.  Sometimes they will be in very shallow and very fast water.

One other thing to keep in mind is that while in the larval stage, stoneflies will molt their skin several times to prepare for adulthood.  Keep an eye out for the molted skins, or shucks along the banks, on exposed rocks, or clinging to submerged rocks.  This will help you identify the presence of stoneflies.  If you see many shucks floating down the river, do yourself a favor and tie on an adult.  If you flip some rocks and see some larvae, then tie on a stonefly nymph of approximate size and color and dead drift it.  I prefer casting upstream.  

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