Crane flies; are they impt to trout?

[northcountryman]

Does anyone know what crane flies are? I read a post from anotherfishing forum where a guy was talking about prolific crane fly hatches down in Louisiana. I never heard of them!! My question is: What do they look like, are they impt to trout and if so, arethey found in north eastern waters as well??

Thanks,

Northcountryman

[Troutastic]

Craneflies look like mutant midges. They are oversized mosquitoes pretty much, but don't feed on blood (I think...). The larval stages of them are a trout's delight, because they look like a fat, tumbling midge larvae on steriods in the river. I would say that in a river system, the larva itself is important to trout, especially around here on some of the rivers when the water is high and murky during snow runoff in May/June. The big larvae are easy targets as the faster water kicks them up from the bottom and they're pretty big and visible. As for the adult stages, I don't know if they're an essential part of a trout's diet, but I would imagine that trout feed on them at one point or another, they are opportunistic enough. Their hatches aren't prolific on any river I've been on, but maybe they are elsewhere...

[Esopus Guy]

Esopus Crane fly larva.

[Esopus Guy]

There are a few little black hooks for "feet" on the one end you can't see in the pic.

[wwelz]

I have had a great year fishing the Barr's Crane Fly Larvae. That fly caught fish everywhere . The great thing about the fly is you can tie it in many different sizes and weights . The Crane fly larvae pattern is a wonderful anchor for euro-nymphing.

[Planettrout]

Here is the above pattern and how to tie it...Charlie Craven's thoughts on this great Spring pattern...

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/detail.cfm

PT/TB :P

[Troutastic]

Wwelz,

If you look "close" that bead has a funny dimple in that light that makes it look like you painted an eye on it... Could even pass as a small baitfish fly, lol!

[northcountryman]

Thanks to Troutastic and E. Guy for the info!! What size would you tie for a nymph to imitate the 1 you're holding E. Guy? Also, the adult crane fly that Troutastic described so well, I know it and have seen it many times but have never really seen trout go after them. In fact, I distinctly remember 5-6 yrs ago on a Mongaup trib watching several browns feeding subsurface w/ a bunch of those adult crane flies riding on the surface andthey would float right down the trouts feeding lane and be ignored. I guess they're not targeted by trout in the adult stage that much?

Thanks,

Northcountryman

[Kaz]

Walts Worm is pretty tough to beat for a cranefly larva. All year too. I think it also represents the grannom and Oct caddis close enough. Would be in my top 3 flies for limestoners.

I have found it fishes much better w Split shot rather than Euro. I also have not done well with a bead, but know others who have.

Soft hackle is very good for when you see the adults on the water.

[northcountryman]

Kaz;

Any particular size or color w/ the soft hackle used to imitate the crane fly? I'm guessing something tan or yellowish brown in maybe a size 8-10?