Trout Diet

When fish are feeding on aquatic insects, which make up about 75% of their diet, they do so at three distinct places in the water.  The section on Fishing Technique will approach this with more detail.  Most of the time they are eating what the current has brought them along the bottom.  During a hatch, they can be feasting on the emergers rising near the top or at the surface film; however, they can also be gorging on adults on top of the water.  Experience will tell you when to swap out your perfect dry fly imitation for an emerger.  Sometimes there will be swarms of adults around, but the fish are really eating just below the surface on the emergers.  For me, the indication to swap out my dry fly is when it stays dry, if you get my drift…. Ouch too many fly fishing puns in one sentence.

Terrestrial Insects

Depending on where you are and the time of year, tossing out terrestrials can lead to some of the most savage strikes.  Basically, ants, worms, beetles, grass hoppers, crickets, etc., can all be found near water.  And, since they are near water, you can bet that some end up in the drink.  And trout love them.  Personally, I tie a mean parachute hopper, and come late summer, I have about 4 months of exciting surface strikes.  I also like to attach a dropper (a nymph tied onto a dry) to it sometimes just to attract any trout feeding on emergers near the surface.  Always carry a selection of terrestrial imitations.  If the fishing is slow, try tossing any one of these across to the other bank… and get ready.

Baitfish

When trout start to get bigger, over 15 inches or so, they feed less on bugs and look for bigger meals.  Bigger trout eat, sculpin, chub, and smaller trout, as well as other tiny fish swimming around depending on where you are.  A fly that imitates these fish is called Streamers.  Without question, fishing streamers will get you the largest trout consistently.  Most people agree, that they fish better in the afternoons when wily hogs have more shadow to work with and go after their big meal of the day.  I recommend sink tip line for this fishing.  Cast across or downstream, and strip back against the current.

You will not find a more brief description of basic fly fishing entomology that is as concise as this.  So now you know.

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