Mayfly Lifecycle
The mayfly lifecycle includes 2 dry stages following a subsurface nymph stage. Nymphs spend a varied amount of time maturing under water until both water and air conditions become favorable for hatching. Nymphs emerge to become spinners, or young adults. They may remain on the surface of the water for some time depending on size, allowing their wings to dry and strengthen before flight. Duns then molt to become spinners. Spinners are the mature, reproducing and egg-laying adults. Spinners may crawls below the surface to lay eggs and can then be vulnerable. Drowned spinner patterns can also be very effective. Hatches generally occur twice a year, between February and May, and September thru November. The life cycle lasts 1 day.
Blue-Winged Olive (Mayfly) {images and links to come}
4 mm-12 mm
#16-#20
BWO is a name given to multiple different species of insects with the Baetidae Family and the Ephemerellidae Family. Nymphs float short distances to find new homes generally at dawn and dusk. Winter and early spring hatches are mostly in the afternoon between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on overcast or drizzly days. Emerges patterns are very effective.
Nymph:
dark brown, olive brown, olive
3 tails
Hare's ear
Hare's ear
Pheasant Tail
BWO Barr Emerger
Floating Nymph
Dun:
wing is smoky colored
body, olive to olive brown
2 tails
Parabeatis
Sparkle dun
Comparadun
Vis-a-dun
Adams
Spinner:
wing is clear
olive brown to reddish brown
2 tails
Diving caddis
Rusty Spinner
Vis-a-dun
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Pale Morning Dun (Mayfly) {images and links to come}
7 mm-12 mm
#16- #20
PMD is the common name for species of the genus Ephemerella. Hatches occur in huge numbers between June and September. Their life cycle lasts 1 day with hatches taking place at nearly anytime.
Nymph:
olive brown
3 tails
Hare's Ear
Pheasant Tail
PMD Barr Emerger
Floating Nymph
Dun:
wing is smokey gray
pale yellow, tan
3 tails
Vis-a-dun
Adams
Comparadun
Sparkle dun
Spinner:
wing is clear
rusty, brown/yellow
3 tails
Diving Caddis
Rusty Spinner
Vis-a-dun
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Trico (Mayfly) {images and links to come}
3 mm- 10 mm
#20-#28
Trico refers to insects within the genus Tricorythodes. They are notoriously small with varied colors. Hatch season is between July and October. Female duns hatch early in the morning and become spinners within minutes. Males hatch late in the evening, often after dark. The following morning sees males falling first, then females. Males and females are often different sizes and colors so having a variety in your dry fly box will do you well.
Nymph:
Dark brown
All forms have 3 tails
Nymph patterns are not fished
Dun:
Wind is whitish in color
Females have an olive abdomen with the rest being dark brown
Males are dark brown
Spinner:
Females are gray or black
Males are black
Dun & Spinner Patterns
Sparkle dun
Vis-a-dun
Polywing trico spinner
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Flavs (Mayfly) {images and links to come}
7 mm- 12 mm
#12-#18
Flavs, also known as Lesser Green Drakes are members of the Drunella family, which includes their larger drake counterparts. Nymphs are not really available to trout until they begin to emerge. They often can be found in slow water, necessitating accurate imitations and presentation. Hatches occur in the afternoon of the summer and fall months, July thru October.
Nymph:
Dark brown, dark olive
Large front legs
3 tails
Poxyback green drake
Hare’s Ear
Pheasant Tail
Green drake cripple (emerger)
Dun:
Wind is smokey to dark dray in color
Olive to yellow olive
Greed drake paradrake
Comparadun
Parachute Adams
Sparkle dun
Spinner:
Wings are clear
Dark Yellow-olive
3 tails
Greed drake paradrake
Comparadun
Parachute Adams
Sparkle dun
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Green Drake (Mayfly) {images and links to come}
15 mm- 25 mm
#8-#14
Drunella grandis, D. doddsi, D. spinefera, are all species of what anglers pray to as Green Drakes. Associated with warmer months, big fish, and eager takes green drake season is everything winter fishing in the American West isn’t. Drakes are mostly found in faster riffles and runs from May thru June. Nymphs move into slower where trout will feed on them often even when duns are present. Hatches occur in smaller numbers than other mayflies. Duns can remain on the water’s surface for a long time while their larger wings dry.
Nymph:
3 tails
Brown, olive-brown
Poxyback green drake
Hare’s ear
Pheasent Tail
Drake Cripple (emerger)
Dun:
Olive, olive-brown with yellow
Whitish wings
Green drake Paradrake
Parachute Adams
Sparkle dun
Spinner:
Red-brown, dark brown
Clear wings
See dun patterns
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Caddisfly Lifecycle
The lifecycle of the caddis fly is far different from that of the mayfly. The general progression of the caddis is from larva to pupa then to adult. The second transition, from pupa to adult, happens very quickly though can be effective when fish a the right time. Adult caddis are known throughout the world as being a very general, very effective, and widespread insect and pattern. Adults live several weeks in streamside trees and brush making them available when there is no hatch happening. Unlike mayflies, caddis patterns can be useful when there is no hatch. Within a given species, color may vary. Hatches also tend to overlap. Trout are accustomed to seeing caddis on the water for nearly the entire season in a variety of colors and sizes. Some species of egg laying adults swim or crawl beneath the water’s surface to lay their eggs on the stream bottom before returning to the air. Trout love caddis.
Mother’s Day Caddis (Caddisfly) {images and links to come}
(Black Caddis, Grannom)
Mother’s day caddis are called such because the beginning of their hatch season coincides with mother’s day. This doesn’t mean you should leave you mother for the day and go fishing, you should take her with you. Genus Brachycentrus larvae build their case and live in riffles. Fishing larva and pupa patterns deep can usually produce a fish at anytime. Adults fall into the water from the banks and collect in slower water and eddies. Females submerge to lay eggs and can be taken. Hatches occur in the spring and fall with the fall grannoms being smaller and darker than their springtime counterparts.
Larva:
12 mm-17 mm with case
Rectangular case
Cream, green body
Cased caddis
Barr’s cased/uncased caddis
Pupa:
6 mm-12 mm
Green body with tan shroud
Wings black on underside of body
Sparkle Pupa
z-wing caddis
Soft hackle
Adult:
6 mm-15 mm
Green to dark brown body
Tan to brown wing
Elk Hair Caddis
Web Wing Caddis
x-caddis
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October Caddis (Caddisfly) {images and links to come}
(Fall Caddis, genus Dicosmoecus)
October caddis are a fall-time favorite for their larger sizes and the aggressive takes they illicit. These large caddis flies emerge from fast riffles between late August and October. As the larvae grown they periodically leave their case to build a larger one. At this time they are very vulnerable to trout. Towards the end of the summer larvae move to slower water in preparation for emergence. Pupation happens very quickly and OC pupae are not fished very often, although your average pupa imitations will take trout. Adults survive a few weeks streamside while the females oviposit from the water’s surface.
Larva:
25 mm-40 mm
Pale yellow, brown body
Pebble case
Cased caddis
Barr’s cased/uncased caddis
Pupa:
20 mm-30 mm
Yellow, brownish orange body
Adult:
20 mm-30 mm
Orange body
Reddish brown wings
Stimulator
Web wing Caddis
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Traveling Sedge (Caddisfly) {images and links to come}
(Giant Caddis, family Phryganeidae)
Traveling sedges are found mostly in slow water or in lakes. Larvae crawl along the bottom making them less available to trout. Pupa, however, can be very effective when fished with a slow vertical retrieve, simulating emergence. Adults skate or run across the surface of the water, giving them their name. Females lay eggs on the surface.
Larva:
20 mm-40 mm
Brown body
Pupa:
20 mm-40 mm
Brown, green, yellow
z-wing caddis
Adult:
20 mm-40 mm
Brown, green, yellow, gray
Brown wings
Elk Hair Caddis
Web wing caddis
Stimulator
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McKenzie Caddis (Caddisfly) {images and links to come}
(Great spotted sedge, genus Arctopsyche)
The McKenzie caddis hatch overlaps significantly with the mother’s day caddis and is often referred to and mistaken for the MDC. This caddis is larger and size with hatches starting around midday.
Larva:
12 mm-16 mm
Green body
Free-living (no case)
Barr’s uncased caddis
Pupa:
10 mm-16 mm
Green body with tan shroud
Soft hackle
Adult:
10 mm-15 mm
Green body
Brown wing
Elk Hair Caddis
Web wing caddis
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Green Caddis (Caddisfly) {images and links to come}
(Green rock worm, genus Rhyacophila)
This is another caddis that Is free-living in it larval form. The larvae lay low in moderate riffles with hatches beginning in the end of May. Hatches may continue in the afternoons through August. Adults can be fished for weeks at a time as they survive and live streamside. Females oviposit on the stream bottom. Drowned or submerged dry patterns can take fish after a hatch.
Larva:
10 mm-18 mm
Green to tan free-living body
Barr’s uncased caddis
Pupa:
8 mm-16 mm
Green body with tan shroud
Soft hackle
Adult:
8 mm-16 mm
Green, brown body
Brown, gray wing
Elk Hair Caddis
x-caddis
If you would like to see other insects here, or more information on flies email me at prescriptiontrout@gmail.com
