04-30-2024, 10:39 PM
(04-24-2024, 04:24 PM)Outfishing13 Wrote: Well, this is my theory. I noticed as soon as we got there and were setting up our rigs the huge buzzing swarms of Buffalo gnats (black bodies and white wings). Did these gnats just come out and the fish were full to their gills and were not hungry? That is the only explanation I have.
Those Buffalo Gnats are chironomids (large, stillwater midges) and they hatch every day from ice-off to ice-up and trout feed on them constantly. The swarms you were seeing are mating activity following the days hatch activity.
There can be a lull in fish activity following concentrated hatches, but typically just fish adjusting to other available food items. Small leech patterns can be very effective following a chironomid hatch.
What I typically see in trout throat-samples this time of year in the absence of chironomids are Daphnia (zooplankton). These can be present in tremendous numbers as well and trout will "filter feed" on them like Whales sifting through Krill. In these cases, Blob flies really shine as they imitate the mating balls of Daphnia.
This is all from a fly fishing perspective by the way.
"We fish for pleasure... I for Mine, you for yours." -James Leisenring