04-22-2015, 01:04 AM
[quote Envenomation09]
Silt is actually one of the better substrates for a lake. Midges/chronomids burrow into it as larvae and "swim" up (which is what stage we imitate with a chronomid fly) also mayflies of the family Ephemeridae (Burrowers) do this. Think Utah lake--very silty, and LOTS of midges.
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Silt is OK, but a good marl (clay) bottom is better... holds up to tunneling midge larvae better than a loose, silty bottom.
A good trick for ice fishing is to drop a sounding weight down on a semi-tight line... if it lands with a click, the bottom is rock - no good. If it lands softly, but pulls right out - silt - not so good. If it lands softly, but requires a little pressure to free it from the bottom - marl/clay... perfect forage area.
Little Dell has good marl and weed beds... and holds all the classic lake forage; chironomids, mayflies (Callibaetis), leeches, damselflies, scuds, even a few caddisflies.
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Silt is actually one of the better substrates for a lake. Midges/chronomids burrow into it as larvae and "swim" up (which is what stage we imitate with a chronomid fly) also mayflies of the family Ephemeridae (Burrowers) do this. Think Utah lake--very silty, and LOTS of midges.
[/quote]
Silt is OK, but a good marl (clay) bottom is better... holds up to tunneling midge larvae better than a loose, silty bottom.
A good trick for ice fishing is to drop a sounding weight down on a semi-tight line... if it lands with a click, the bottom is rock - no good. If it lands softly, but pulls right out - silt - not so good. If it lands softly, but requires a little pressure to free it from the bottom - marl/clay... perfect forage area.
Little Dell has good marl and weed beds... and holds all the classic lake forage; chironomids, mayflies (Callibaetis), leeches, damselflies, scuds, even a few caddisflies.
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