Irregardless of the time you put into the study of Aquatic insect life within the rivers and streams you fish, I promise your efforts will be richly rewarded”...
Did you know in some waters "nymphs" make up more than 80% of the trout's diet?
A question," Why would you throw small bugs at big Fish"? Well, aquatic insects represent upwards of 80% of the trout’s food source. About 90% of those insects sustain trout (fingerlings) their first few years in the river/stream systems. For that reason alone, it only makes sense to throw small ugly bugs at big fish...
The Great Lakes and their tributaries are perhaps the most food-rich ecosystem in North America. A virtual cornucopia of invertebrates such as stoneflies, Caddisflies, mayflies and midges. The Great Lakes also host massive schools of smelt, herring, and alewives, thus providing a constant food source for Steelhead, as well as other Trout and Salmon species.
Becoming familiar with the aquatic life in the river systems you plan to fish, is an important skill any Nymph fly-fishermen should work to acquire. The better we are at identifying these species of insects, the easier it will be for us to “match the hatch”.
Identifying aquatic insects of the Great Lakes region
I find it to be most useful for me, to work at the level of Family and Genus. All aquatic insects within these groups, for the most part, share very similar habits, as well as physical and behavioral traits. So, grouping these similar species of insects together will still offer accurate information, which will help with choosing a specific fly pattern that will best suit our needs at the time. [collection & preparation] Most of the Great lakes tribs as well as in-land streams and rivers, nymphs make up more than 75% of the trout's diet [trout consumption chart]. We fishermen can't always be present on these streams during a heavy hatch, but rest assured these underwater nymphs are always present. Spend some time studying the underside of stones shake out aquatic vegetation, examine dead fall and driftwood. You'll find some naturals that look very close to the pictured aquatic insects listed above.
To make more specific identification you'll need to refer to textbooks on the study of Aquatic Entomology. There are a few books along these lines I recommend: The Orvis Streamside Guide to Trout Foods and Their Imitations, by: Tom Rosenbauer. Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty
Naturals, by Gary A. Borger. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America, by Richard W. Merritt. These are but a few of the publication available. You may want to check your local library all of these publications.
Types of Water
Reading the water and understanding how to fish these categories of water, is one more of those important things we as nymph fishermen need to learn to become more proficient at catching trout and salmon. Whether you're fishing the Great Lakes tributaries, in-land streams, lakes or ponds, a fish's needs are the same. Different types of water in a stream or river help fish meet their basic needs. A stream/river can be for the most part divided into four types of water... Smooth (flat) water, (pools), glide-water (runs) and choppy water (riffles).
Smooth (Flat) Water: The Relatively smooth bottoms manifest themselves in an even surface. Flat water is comfortable to wade. They're from one to five feet deep, and they always hold a good supply of food. This water has some down falls in that it's not secure-especially in the shallow sections; fish are more susceptible to predators, therefore very skittish. Look for fish along banks and undercuts, where two currents meet, where a creek enters, in shadows, and on the edges of moss lines. The advantage is food; hatches are concentrated in those areas. Fish will try to feed near a zone of safety, staying in the feeding lane when the food is most abundant, then moving back to safety when the hatch slackens. Look for places were fish could hide. Look for lines of water meet-riffles, moss, drop-offs, deep and shallow.
Pools: The water is deep and slow. The biggest fish in the system usually call this water home. Because these fish are top of the food chain they will monopolize the best lanes and feeding zones. Therefore it's best to fish Pools early in the morning and later evening. Note: Pools are excellent places to fish Streamer patterns and larger nymph patterns, these bigger fish are accustom to larger pray such as river shiners, Sculpin, crayfish. Large stoneflies and Caddisflies are always a good choice Muddler patterns as well...
Fast Water (Runs): The surface is partially smooth, but the bottom of the river is broken up with large stones, gravel beds and boulders. This water should be carefully wadded the current is frequently powerful. Runs are average 2 1/2 to 7 feet deep. Because it's deep, you often can't see the fish. You must look at the surface of the water to try to figure out were the fish will be concentrated. Because the water is deep the fish can stay on the bottom and wait for drifting food. Here again look for edges, places were two different currents meet, anything that breaks the current is good bet, in these spots fish find relief from the current and food. Fish the nymph on a dead drift, using just enough weight to get the fly down to achieve the tic-tic-tic (bouncing off bottom every three feet or so). Remember that water sub-surface will be moving slower than that on the surface therefore, mending your line will be critical in this situation. Fish in this fast water runs will be opportunistic in their feeding habits and that will certainly work in your favor with a well-presented nymph pattern.
Choppy Water (Riffles): Fast water isn't deep. Fish come here to feed, this is a feeding zone, and you will find hungry fish here. The surface is choppy, and the bottom is rough. While the water may seem very swift, remember that the bottom is broken up with structure. There are plenty of places a fish can use to escape the current while it's in the feeding lane. When your fishing the chop, you can't take any water for granted, the fish will be scattered all over. This type of water lends it's self best to the short line Nymphing method, you can get fairly close to the fish without being seen.
Common Nymphing rigs;
fig. 1
fig. 2
fig. 3
Short Line Nymphing:
Now as far as "Short Line Nymphing" goes I think you'll find it to be one of the most productive methods for drifting a nymph along the bottom...This method requires no more than 8 to 10 foot of line stripped from the reel, I will use shorter leaders with this method as well, 6 ft. most often with 8 foot being the maximum length... As I move from flats to pools, runs to riffles I eventually find it necessary to alter the depth of the nymph, in this case I will simply change the weight and it's position. You'll find most nymph patterns will produce best on or very near the bottom. Now with that said, there are situations when drifting the pattern mid-depth or near the surface will be required, the use of a small float or buoyant strike indicator helps to make these adjustments.
There are many situations when casting up stream with a weighted nymph pattern, than allowing it to drift back towards you is the best approach. This method insures the fly reaches it maximum depth (depending upon the speed of flow) you may have to increase or decrease the amount of weight used. Depending on water depth and current you may want to try casting at a right angle to the target and drift the weighted fly on a very short line.
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