Food for Thought, or Thoughts on Food?

That large stoneflies (salmonflies) and hoppers are dead last on the list might surprise some folks, especially given their notoriety in the West.

By John Juracek

While midge fishing the other day I was reminded–as I always am when engaged in this pursuit–of just how much trout like eating midges. Or at least it seems that way because when midges are available trout always seem to take them. It doesn’t matter whether it’s larvae, pupae, or adults; trout readily eat them all. This got me thinking about where midges rank in order of preference as trout food.

It’s a subject I’ve given previous thought to, but I’ve never actually taken the time to write out a list. My list of insects in order of trout preference, based on 50 years of fly fishing:

1. Caddisfly pupae/emergers

2. Mayfly spinners of any size

3. Small mayfly nymphs (#20-22) and all stages of midge

4. Medium size mayfly nymphs

5. Small mayfly duns

6. Caddisfly adults

7. Medium size mayfly duns

8. Large mayfly duns

9. Large stoneflies and grasshoppers

Okay, a clarification. The premise of this ranking is that at any given time the trout has a choice among these insects. Of course we know this is rarely the case (but can happen on a river like the Henry’s Fork, say, around the end of June). More likely, trout will have a choice among just a few of the insects on this list. So, I’m extrapolating a bit.

My list isn’t comprehensive. But I think it covers a good chunk of the insect life that river trout eat around here.

If this list rings at all true, I suspect it’s not because trout actually “like” one insect over another. It’s probably because they see far more small insects than large, and feel much safer eating smaller insects. (An exception here is caddis pupae, which trout seem inordinately fond of in any size.) I also think trout feel more comfortable feeding under the surface as opposed to on top, another plus for caddis pupae and nymphs.

There’s a case to be made for medium size mayfly nymphs being placed anywhere from #3 to #7 on this list. This was the most difficult call. Another time I might see it another way.

That large stoneflies (salmonflies) and hoppers are dead last on the list might surprise some folks, especially given their notoriety in the West. But while trout do eat these insects–at times with abandon–if given almost any other choice they’re likely to take it. Seems strange, I know, but I’ll bet most longtime fishermen would agree.

This exercise may be viewed as largely academic, but it’s really quite practical.

I’ve experienced many instances where success depended on choosing a fly pattern based on these rankings, as opposed to merely picking a fly based on the relative abundance of insects available.

Just some food for thought.

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John Juracek is a fly fisherman, writer and photographer from West Yellowstone, Montana. For twenty-some years he was a partner at Blue Ribbon Flies, a local fly shop, and is currently the head casting instructor at the School of Trout and Anglers Academy. His writing credits include Yellowstone: Photographs of an Angling Landscape, Fly Patterns of Yellowstone, Fishing Yellowstone Hatches and Fly Patterns of Yellowstone, Volume Two.

He is considered one of the sport’s expert fly casters and instructors and offers casting lessons for $100/hour at jjuracek@gmail.com or (406) 640-2828.