Fish foodmatch the hatch.
Mayflies, caddis, stoneflies, midges and everything else trout eat, with the flies that imitate each one.
Mayflies
Baetis (BWO) adultBaetis tricaudatusSpring and fall (March–May and September–November)Baetis (BWO) emergerBaetis speciesSpring and fall with peak emergence March through May and September through NovemberBaetis adultBaetis spp.Peak emergence occurs during spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), with water temperatures between 42–55°FBaetis nymphBaetis tricaudatusPeak activity in spring (March-May) and fall (September-November)Blue-Winged Olives (BWO)Baetis spp.Early spring and fall (March–May and September–November)Blue-Winged Olives (Early)Baetis tricaudatusEarly spring through late spring (March–May)Brown Drake (Ephemera simulans)Ephemera simulansLate spring through early summer (late May–July)Caddis/mayfly larvaEphemeroptera & Trichoptera larvaeYear-round availability with peak activity March through NovemberCallibaetis adultCallibaetisLate spring through fall (May–September)Callibaetis/midge adultCallibaetis spp. / ChironomidaeMid-summer through early fall (June–September)Early BWOsBaetis tricaudatusEarly spring through late fall, with peaks in March–May and September–NovemberEphemerella dorothea adultEphemerella dorotheaLate spring through early summer (May–July)Ephemerella dorothea/veins adultEphemerella dorothea/invariaLate spring through early summer (May–July)Ephemerella subvaria (male)Ephemerella subvaria (male)Mid to late spring (April through May in most regions)General mayfly nymphEphemeroptera (Order)Year-round with peak activity spring through fall (March–October)General NymphOrder Ephemeroptera (Generalized Mayfly Nymph)Year-round availability with seasonal peaks varying by speciesGreen Drake (Drunella grandis)Drunella grandisLate June through JulyHendrickson (Ephemerella subvaria)Ephemerella subvariaEarly to mid-spring (April–May)Hendrickson spinner (Ephemerella)Ephemerella subvariaLate April through mid-May in Eastern North America
Caddisflies
Brachycentrus caddis adultBrachycentrus speciesLate April through May, with peak activity during Mother's Day weekendCaddis adultTrichopteraLate spring through early fall (April–October)Caddis emergerTrichoptera (various species)Peak emergence periods vary by species: April–May (Grannom, Mother's Day Caddis), late summer through fall (October Caddis)Caddis larva/emergerTrichoptera (Order)Peak emergence varies by species: March–November, with major hatches in spring (April–May) and fall (September–October)Caddis pupaTrichopteraSpring through fall (March–October), with peak activity during warmer monthsCaddis pupa (Trichoptera)Trichoptera (Order)Spring through fall (March–October), with peak activity May–SeptemberCaddis pupa/emergerTrichopteraSpring through fall, with peak emergence periods varying by species from March through OctoberHydropsyche (net-spinning caddis) pupaHydropsyche spp.Spring through fall (April–October), with peak emergence during warmer months
Stoneflies
Terrestrials
Ant terrestrialFormicidae (Various Species)Late spring through early fall (June–September)Beetle (Coleoptera)ColeopteraPeak activity from June through September, with highest abundance in mid-summerFlying antFormicidae (various species)Late summer through early fall (July–September), with peak activity during warm, humid afternoonsGrasshopperOrder Orthoptera (various species)Mid-summer through early fall (July–September)
Crustaceans
CrabCallinectes sapidusSpring through fall (April–October), with peak activity during warmer monthsCrayfishCambaridae familyMost active spring through fall (April–October), peak summer activityCrayfish/invertebrateOrconectes spp. (Freshwater Crayfish)Most active May through October, peak feeding periods during spring and fall molting cyclesFreshwater shrimp/crustaceanGammarus spp. / Hyalella aztecaYear-round availability with peak activity during warmer months (April–October)Isopod (Asellus)Asellus aquaticusYear-round availability with peak activity in spring and fall
Baitfish
BaitfishVarious species (Cyprinidae, Centrarchidae, Clupeidae, etc.)Year-round, with peak feeding activity during spring spawning runs and fall migrationsBaitfish/sculpinCottidae familyYear-round availability with peak activity in spring and fallBaitfish/surface preyVarious speciesYear-round, with peak activity during spring through fall (March-November)Large BaitfishVarious species (3-8+ inches)Year-round, with peak feeding activity during spring spawning runs and fall migrations
Other
Aquatic wormOligochaeta (various species)Year-round, with peak activity after rainfall and during spring runoffAttractor (no specific hatch)Non-specific attractorsSummer through early fall (June–September)FrogVarious Amphibian SpeciesLate spring through early fall (May–September), with peak activity during summer monthsGeneral AttractorGeneral Attractor PatternYear-round effectiveness, particularly during transitional seasons and when no specific hatch is occurringGeneral attractor (salmon)Various speciesSpring through fall (April–October), with peak activity during salmon runsGeneral attractor (steelhead)General attractor patternYear-round, with peak effectiveness during steelhead migration periods (September through April)General attractor (surface)Mixed aquatic insectsYear-round, with peak effectiveness during active surface feeding periods (spring through fall)General attractor nymphVarious Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera familiesYear-round effectiveness, particularly productive during transitions between major hatchesGeneral EmergerMultiple species (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera)Year-round, with peak activity during major hatches from April through OctoberGeneral invertebrateVarious aquatic invertebratesYear-round availability with seasonal variations by specific taxaGeneral nymph attractorEphemeroptera, Plecoptera, TrichopteraYear-round effectiveness with peak utility during spring through fall (March–November)Grub/LarvaeDiptera larvae (Various species)Year-round, with peak activity during spring and early summer (March-July)InsectVarious aquatic insect familiesYear-round with seasonal peaks varying by speciesLeechHirudinea (Class)Year-round availability with peak activity during warmer months (April–October)Leech (Hirudinea)HirudineaYear-round, most active during warmer months (April–October)