PaleWatery.com Entomology section

A basic knowledge of entomology can be very valuable to the fly fisher, knowing which insects are on the water and when as well as understanding the life cycle and behavior of them will help with fly selection and bring more success on the river.

The majority of the Trout and Graylings diet is made up of insects, the most important groups of these are listed below by their Class or Order. Each section contains details on how to identify the various species as well as information on their life cycle and behavior, with emphasis given to how this affects the angler regarding techniques used to imitate them. The sections also contain hatch timetables, photographs, illustrations and links to the artificial fly patterns I use to imitate each of the naturals.

This section is near the beginning of its construction, please contact PaleWatery with your comments or opinions on information you would like to see added. Your input would be much appreciated.

Upwing flies (Duns).
By far the most important order of insects to the fly fisher. With species hatching in decent numbers from late March till September, imitations of the two adult stages of these insects make up 80% of the contents of the average dry fly anglers fly box.
Click on the Order title above for more detailed information, a hatch timetable, photographs and illustrations.

Tent wing flies (Sedges).
The second most important order of insects to the fly fisher.
Click on the Order title above for photographs, illustrations and information on the various species and their life cycle.
This area is currently under construction, please check back soon for updates.

Flat winged flies.
A massive order of flies ranging from common Houseflies to the species included which are of more interest to the fly fisher.
Click on the Order title above for photographs, illustrations and information on the various species and their life cycle.
This area is currently under construction, please check back soon for updates.

Hard winged flies (Stoneflies).
A very small order of insects when compared with most of the others but still useful to the fly fisher.
Click on the Order title above for photographs, illustrations and information on the various species and their life cycle.
This area is currently under construction, please check back soon for updates.

Beetles. (Various species)
Many species of beetle can be found near the riverbank and can be blown onto the water surface or fall from overhanging vegetation. Identification of individual species is not really neccesary; I have found carrying one or two general patterns is more than enough.

Follow the link(s) below to recommended artificial(s).
Future link to Artificial
Future link to Artificial

A seperate Class from the others featured on this page, the Freshwater Shrimp (Gammarus Pulex) is a member of the order Amphipoda and overtakes some members of the Class Insecta in its importance to the Trout and Grayling as a food source.

Click here for Artificial.

Throughout this section invertibrates are grouped together by their "Class" or "Order", these are terms used in "Taxonomy" the scientific classification of all living organisms, grouping them to indicate natural relationships. There are seven main groupings beginning with "Kingdom" e.g. Animal or Plant and ending in the final two groups "Genus" and "Species" which provide the latin names listed below the common names of the invertibrates featured on this site.
For examples of how this classification system works CLICK HERE