Entomology

Entomology (what fish eat)

Identifying insects and other food organisms that fish eat will help you catch more fish. Certain aquatic insects make up the major portion of a fish's diet. The four main insect orders that emerge from our streams and lakes (listed by degree of their importance) are: mayflies (Ephemeroptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera), midges (Diptera), and stoneflies (Plecoptera).

To be an effective hatch matcher you must at least be able to quickly differentiate between adult mayflies, caddisflies, midges, stoneflies, and all the immature stages of each of these orders. Many hatches and most spinner falls do not last very long. You do not have time to try four or five patterns on a trial-and-error basis. Rather, you should be able to choose the right fly at the right time; only then will you be able to hook your share of fish. It's not as difficult as you might think.

This workshop is designed so that you will learn:

How to identify the four major aquatic insects.

How to identify terrestrial insects (land based) most likely found on streams and lakes.

What a multiple hatch is.

How to select the right artificial to match the natural.

Hands-on, stream-side and lakeside insect identification.

How to read the water to determine at which level the fish are feeding in the water column...then present your fly at that level for the best success.

You will learn basic information on trout stream and lake entomology, and hatching cycles of the four major aquatic insects.

Courses run from April through September.

Fee:
$60.00/hour per person (minimum three hours).
Hours: Workshops begin at 9 AM; lunch is from noon to 1 PM; afternoon workshops from 1-4 PM.