What Fish Eat

Aquatic insects make up the majority of a fish's diet. The four key insect orders (listed first and not including Streamers or Terrestrials) that emerge from streams and lakes are:

 

Mayflies Important to Fly Fishing

When fly fishing in the Western U.S., the angler can typically rely on three species to pattern mayflies. These commonly used mayfly patterns are:

 

Tricos

The trico is a tiny, crawler mayfly. Tricos have dark bodies and white wings. The trico's nymph stage will not be considered here. However, trico spinner falls can trigger a feeding frenzy by trout.

Trico Emerger

Pattern Name Color Hook Size Thumbnail Image
CDC Midge Emerger Black Body # 20
CDC Midge Emerger
CDC Floating Nymph Black Body # 20 photo coming soon

Trico Dun

Pattern Name Color Hook Size Thumbnail Image
Parachute Hare's Ear Dark Brown Body # 20 photo coming soon
Trico Dun Dark Brown Body # 20
Trico Dun

Trico Spinner

Pattern Name Color Hook Size Thumbnail Image
Trico Spinner Olive Abdomen / Brown Thorax # 20
Trico Spinner
Poly Wing Spinner Black Body # 20
Poly Wing Spinner

Photo of October Caddisfly by P. Michael Carl © The Ecological Angler