October Hatches

Terrestrials

Basically, anything that doesn't live in the water is a terrestrial. The most common insects include ants, beetles, worms, caterpillars, crickets or hoppers. While it is always a good idea to have a San Juan Worm in your box especially when the water is high and off color. Aquatic worms form an important part of a trout's diet. During the summer, ants, beetles and hoppers become important parts of the trout's diet along with crickets and inchworms. Generally, ants, beetles and inchworms will be found in wooded areas while hoppers and crickets tend to live in fields. Know where you fish and plan accordingly. Look for grasshoppers and crickets to become increasingly important in late summer along with a decline in beetle populations. Parachute Black or Cinnamon Ants are a good choice in sizes 16-20. Look for ants and hoppers to continue to be important right through the first heavy frost in mid to late October.

                                            

                                                                   Mayflies

Mayfly activity will continue through October. Look for Isonychia and Light Cahills to continue to hatch especially early in the month. The Baetis and Blue Quills are also hatching for the last time. The complex of species will produce hatches of small mayflies best imitated by BWO's #16-20 and Adams or Blue Quills #16-20. Also, don't neglect small Pheasant Tail nymphs size 16-20 or RS2 Emergers in Grey, Brown, or BWO in sizes 16-20.   

Caddis

 Caddis larva form an important part of the trout's diet Olive, Chartreuse and tan larva are all good choices in sizes 14-18.  The various small tan and brown caddis #18-20 Caddis as well as the October Caddis are hatching now. Tan Caddis patterns are deadly right now. They are hardy. Sometimes when the weather is too cool for the mayflies the caddis will still hatching in good numbers. A Tan Elk Hair Caddis or Caribou Caddis #18 is a good imitation as is the Orange Stimulator in sizes 10-12. It is always productive to fish small caddis larvae in a variety of colors. Try Olive or Grayish Olive or Chartreuse. 

 

                                                        Stoneflies

Stoneflies are done hatching but the nymphs often spend more that one season in the water prior to hatching. Therefore any Brown or Black stonefly nymph pattern is a good idea.

                                                        Scuds

Scuds are aquatic shrimp. These fast moving swimmers hatch multiple broods throughout the year. I like Grey or Tan in the cooler months. Many people swear by Olive in the late spring through the early summer. Sizes 14-18 are typically the most common. I usually trail them behind a nymph in a tandem rig. I also find that they are best fished directly upstream.

                                                     

                                                    

Midges  

There are still lots of midges hatching later in the season. Trout have been feeding on them all season and so they are very accustomed to taking them. The RS2 is always a good choice in sizes 18-22. For larva patterns the Black or Red Zebra Midge size 18-22 is hard to beat but the Rainbow Warrior has been catching lots of trout too.