Practical Entomology for Fly Fishing
- 4 Hours, 30 Minutes
- # Units | # Lessons | # Chapters
- 40
- Coldwater
- Trout
Practical Entomology for Fly Fishing




9 Units | 40 Lessons | 21 Chapters

Course Description
Understanding what trout eat and when is the key to consistently catching more fish. While fly fishing entomology might seem complex, you don’t need a biology degree to use it effectively. This course breaks it down into simple, practical knowledge that helps you quickly identify aquatic insects, match them to the right fly, and adjust your selection based on seasonal hatches.
No need for complicated Latin names—just a straightforward approach to picking the best fly with confidence. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or looking to refine your fly selection skills, this course will help you make better decisions on the water.
What You’ll Learn:
- The 13 Key Trout Foods: Learn the primary insect groups trout eat, including mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges.
- Insect Life Cycles & Fly Selection: Match your flies to the correct stage—nymph, emerger, pupa. dun, or spinner—to increase your success.
- How to Identify What’s Hatching: Use simple on-the-water techniques to figure out what trout are feeding on in real time.
- Choosing the Right Fly: Learn how size, color, and profile matter when picking the most effective imitation.
- Seasonal Hatch Timing: Understand which insects are most active during different times of the year to fish smarter.
Why Take This Course?
- Eliminate the Guesswork: Knowing how to identify trout food gives you a major advantage in fly selection.
- Fish More Effectively: Matching the hatch allows you to target trout when they are actively feeding.
- Simplify Fly Selection: Learn how a few key patterns can cover almost any hatch, so you don’t need to carry hundreds of flies.
- Works Anywhere: Whether you fish rivers, lakes, or small streams, these principles apply to trout water everywhere.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of trout food, when it’s available, and how to match it with the right fly—leading to more success on the water.
Course Contributors
Unit 1
Introduction
4 Lessons
- A Practical Approach to Entomology
- Types of Insects and Tiny Trout Foods
- Identify the Life Stages of Insects
- Insect Behavior
Unit 2
Mayflies
6 Lessons
- Introduction and Lifecycle
- Mayfly Nymphs
- Mayfly Emergers
- Mayfly Duns
- Mayfly Spinners
- Mayfly Hatches
- Chapter – Blue Wing Olive (BWO)
- Chapter – Callibaetis
- Chapter – Pale Morning Dun (PMD)
- Chapter – Tricos
- Chapter – Hexegenia (Hex)
- Chapter – Isonychias
- Chapter – Green Drakes
- Chapter – March Browns
- Chapter – Cahills
- Chapter – Adams
Unit 3
Caddisflies
7 Lessons
- Introduction & Lifecycle
- Caddis Nymphs
- Caddis Pupa
- Caddis Emergers
- Caddis Dry/Adults
- Egg-Laying Caddis Adults
- Caddis Hatches
Unit 4
Stoneflies
4 Lessons
- About Stoneflies
- Stonefly Nymphs
- Stonefly Dry/Adults
- Stonefly Hatches
Unit 5
Midges
5 Lessons
- Midges and Where to Find Them
- How to Identify a Midge
- Lifecycle of a Midge
- Chapter: Midge Nymph
- Chapter: Midge Emerger
- Chapter: Midge Dry
- Craneflies
- Cranefly Nymphs
- Cranefly Dries
- Tips on Fishing Craneflies
Unit 6
Terrestrials
5 Lessons
- Introduction
- Grasshoppers
- Bettles
- Ants
- Activity Charts and Patterns
Unit 7
Scuds - Sowbugs - Annelids
2 Lessons
- Scuds and Sowbugs
- Annelids (worms)
Unit 8
Damsels - Dragons - Water Boatman
4 Lessons
- Stillwater Insects
- Damselflies
- Dragonflies
- Water Boatman
Unit 9
Conclusion
4 Lessons
- Three Pillars of Fly Fishing
- Insect Review
- Match the Hatch Chart
- Bug Seine and How to Use It
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What skill level is this course designed for?
This course is beneficial for anglers of all experience levels, but beginners and intermediates will gain the most from it. We break down entomology into easy-to-understand concepts, helping you quickly identify insects, match them to flies, and improve your success on the water. Advanced anglers will also find value in the detailed hatch information, including water temperatures, timing, and behavior patterns to refine their approach and catch more fish.
Question: Will this course apply to the waters I fish?
Yes! The principles in this course work anywhere trout are found. We include hatch charts with regional data to help you anticipate the best hatches in your specific area. Whether you’re fishing high-elevation streams, large tailwaters, or stillwater lakes, this course gives you the knowledge to match the hatch effectively.
Question: Do I need to memorize latin insect names and classifications?
Not at all. Our approach simplifies entomology by focusing on practical identification rather than scientific terminology. You’ll learn to recognize key insect groups, their life stages, and the patterns that best imitate them—without needing to know Latin names. The goal is to help you quickly and confidently select the right fly while you’re on the water.
Question: How will this course help me catch more fish?
Matching the hatch is one of the most effective ways to fool selective trout. This course teaches you when, where, and how to observe insect activity, plus how to pair what you see with the right fly size, color, and pattern. By understanding trout feeding behavior and seasonal hatches, you’ll make better fly choices, leading to more consistent success.
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