What Trout Like to Eat!

 After looking and paying attention, I often reflect upon the past to decide which fly will be best. Keeping a daily journal is the best way to recollect one's fishing strategies, and that is one easily overlooked aspect the serious angler should habitually practice.
In the Northern Rockies, the seasons each bring their own unique platter of food to the trout. It is not difficult to find the fly that matches the hatch, because at anyone time several insects and food sources are available. The most interesting food I have ever seen on the river was a fledgling bird that dropped into the stream, only to have a large cut throat rise and swallow it whole! Fish also love to dine on other smaller fish. When summer gets cooking, terrestrial insects become a preferred food source. Hoppers, ants, and beetles are favorites of wild trout!
The entomology of the stream is good to know. Nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners represent different the stages of insect food in the river.

  These mayflies, are showing them selves as duns, the adult mating stage. They have grown from nymphs, emerged, and are in the process of mating. Soon they will fall to the water, spent and dying.
Every stage provides a food source for trout, and using different flies will attract fish!

When one loads the flybox for an outing, bring flies that cover the possibilities! Never be too cautious, experimenting with something different and changing flies often turns the trip from a state of frustration to hot action! Every time a new fly is cast, something will be learned. Remember to record this into the fishing diary!