Welcome to NEFF

Sign up for a new account today, or log on with your old account!

Give us a try!

Welcome back to the new NEFF. Take a break from Twitter and Facebook. You don't go to Dicks for your fly fishing gear, you go to your local fly fishing store. Enjoy!

Nymph Identification

pmjasper

New member
Well I ventured out to the Flatbrook River for the third weekend in a row in an attempt to catch a trout. Started off the day with a #16 GRHE and then a #16 PT without as much as a hit. Since the fishing wasn't going so well, I seined a few nymphs in an attempt to get a better idea of what the trout may be feeding on. I identified cased caddis, a brownish-yellow mayfly nymph, helgramites and then I got a bit confused:

Two bugs in my collection I could not identifiy. I thought the first might be a yellow stonefly as it had six legs, two large appendages (like antennae) off it's rear, two large appendages (like antennae) coming off it's head and was a brownish-tan color. It looked very similar to the mayfly nymph, but the mayfly had swimmerettes on its side and didn't move much, but what I thought was the stonefly, actively crawled around the jar. The second nymph was nothing more than a small (3/4 inch) off white worm with one tiny brown appendage coming off its rear and two tiny white appendages coming off its head region.

I realize it's hard to identify based on descriptions but I thought someone might have a clue. In addition, if anyone knows of any guide books that contain descriptions and pictures of aquatic insects i would be more than happy to pick one up.

Lastly, as far as the fishing went, I struck out again. I saw a few trout this time but I think I spooked them right off the bat. Also, my girlfriend and I had a bear walk right up on us within 50 yards. That was more for her to handle and kept her in the truck the rest of the day. All in all any interesting day but I hope I can start catching some fish soon. Thanks guys.
 
You could try to get a copy of Schweibert's "Nymphs" which has some excellent large drawings by the author. Check Amazon or one of the other on-line book stores.

Good luck
 
I realize it's hard to identify based on descriptions but I thought someone might have a clue. In addition, if anyone knows of any guide books that contain descriptions and pictures of aquatic insects i would be more than happy to pick one up.

You might want to check out http://www.troutnut.com. Jason Neuswanger has a fantastic database of trout food of all sorts in all stages of life. You'll find excellent quality magnified photos along with hatch information. It's a really good resource for a fly fisher.

You'll also find some of the best stream and fishing related photos online.
 
The white worm-like critter sounds an awful lot like a cranefly larvae to me, but I couldn't be sure without a picture. You gotta describe the nymph better. That description basically encompasses every mayfly and stonefly nymph out there. hahaha.
 
I'll try to look them up in a book if I have a chance. The white worm-like creature was just like I explained...not much to it but it was very mobile crawling all around the container and when raised off of the bottom it gyrated like crazy. It also made it half way into a caddis case which I thought was interesting.

I realize it is very hard to identify something you can't see with your own eyes, that is why I'll see if I can find a book that has actual photos of aquatic insects. At least I could identify the helgramittes, which I was surprised there were so many in the Flatbrook.
 
I'll see if I can find a book that has actual photos of aquatic insects. At least I could identify

PMJ:

Hatch Guide for New England Streams by Thomas Ames, Jr. is perhaps the best book out there.

If you get a chance to thumb through it at a library or book store you will see he provides a photo of the nymph on the left page and fly patterns to mimic it on the right page.

Hatch Guide

I am surprised that the book hasn't received more acclaim that it has.

Good luck.

AKS
 
AKS, does that contain nymphs as well as adults? I see a lot of books out there that have pictures of adults for the dry fly fisherman, but not necessarily nymphs.
 
PMJ

Sorry, I should have spent a little more time in my book description, but the book is at home which is why I just added a link.

Yes, it covers nymphs. The photos are all in colour.

When I get home I will take the book from its place of rest, review it and if there is some added point I wish to pass along, I will.

Again, if I could only grab a single book from my home if it was on fire, it would be this book.

Well worth the small cost for this book.

AKS
 
The second nymph was nothing more than a small (3/4 inch) off white worm with one tiny brown appendage coming off its rear and two tiny white appendages coming off its head region.

Example and excerpt for the book.
Without seeing a photo of the nymph.. this is close but I don't think it was the one you asked about.

Hatch Guide for New England Streams Caddisflies (Order Trichoptera)

Page 154.
Saddle Case Maker - Larva
"Glossosoma larvae, know as saddle cases, resemble those of several fall-hatching pebble case builders."
Page 155
"As if by pre-arrangement, Glossosoma larvae engage in a coordinated migration during which, having outgrown their shelters.."

Recommended patterns.

USD Cream Caddis Larvae, Brassie, Pink Caddis Hook sizes 16-20
 
Thanks Ak. Looks somewhat similar but I didn't notice any legs on the insect. It looked similar to an elogated maggot but I too thought it was some species of caddisfly.
 
Oh and I just ordered the New England Hatches book. Hope it helps with my identification of aquatic insects. Thanks again.
 
AKSkim...i just got the New england Hatches book and it was just what I was looking for. Haven't had a chance to read through it but purusing through the pages was very interesting. That along with a hatches book by Dave Hughes should help me along my way with nymph identification, behavior and imitations. Thanks again for the suggestion.
 
Back
Top