By Bruce Ajari ·
A selection of ant imitations ·
When fly-fishers talk about matching the hatch, aquatic insects such as Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddisflies and midges are the primary ones that they concentrate on. However, terrestrial insects such as ants, beetles and grasshoppers are an important food source for consideration.
Terrestrial, unlike aquatic insects, live primarily on land. As a result, they may be overlooked as a food source for trout.
Ants are one of the most intriguing of the terrestrials, and can be found year-round. In the spring, large carpenter ants hatch and begin flying on the first warm days of the season. Imitations fished during this period will result in some of the largest fish in the river being landed on dry fly imitations of ants.
Carpenter Ants are huge and as a result fish really key on them. On one occasion we observed a fish move a good three feet off the edge of a bush to grab our passing ant imitation.
Smaller black and red ants are available throughout the year and are often found on streamside vegetation. They often drop off of this vegetation and become food for the fish. On one occasion, we happened upon a rising fish under some willow bushes. Upon close inspection, we could see ants on the limbs of the trees. An occasional one would drop in and the fish would eat it.
While it was not a large fish, it was caught because we were able to identify that it was eating ants. Tying on an ant pattern of about the same size met with immediate success.
During the fall while fishing lakes and reservoirs, we often see flying ants of varying sizes and color. Matching these ants, the angler can become quite successful.
Typically, flying ants are pretty poor flyers and are at the mercy of wind currents. They often get blown into the water on windy days and become trout food.
Once while fishing in one of our local lakes, we had a nice emergence of small cinnamon-colored ants. They were about a size #20. While we did not have any the first night, we tied some up and returned the next day. To our good fortune, the ants were still present. We had a banner day fishing these tiny ants along the edges of weed beds.
Keep your eyes open when you are on the water. Ants will sometimes be difficult to see because they drop into the water and often drown. The ones that are floating are usually riding low in the water, making them hard to see. A small seine will help you capture these so that you can tell that they are present in the water.
Because ants drown, an ant imitation is successfully fished subsurface. Many anglers will fish them by adding a split shot and fish them like you would a nymph. Do not overlook this approach, because it can be successful when there are ants present.
Do not overlook ants as a food source for trout. They are one of the most abundant terrestrials available to the fish. Watch for their presence and fish their imitations with confidence. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results.
FISHING REPORT
(See Sightseeing for water levels.)
Boca | Inflow is at 41 cfs and the outflow is 84 cfs. Fishing has been fair. Most anglers have been using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore can be productive. Fly anglers are doing fair near the inlet with nymph and streamers.
Donner | Fishing has been fair. Shore fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | Artificial lures with barbless hooks and a zero fish limit, strictly catch and release, is in effect. The flow is at 41 cfs. Keep an eye on water temperatures here at these low flows. Fishing is tougher at these levels. A dry dropper rig works well in these conditions.
Martis Lake | No kill, catch and release only with barbless hooks. The water is probably too warm to fish now. Small cutthroats and a few large browns are available here. Smallmouth bass also are in this impoundment.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair. Most anglers are using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Fish are being caught in deeper water. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed down.
Stampede | Stampede fishing has been fair. Shore fishermen have found action fair. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Fly-fishermen are using a combination of nymphs and streamers with fair success. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | The upper section from Tahoe City to River Ranch flow is 63 cfs and through Truckee at 61 cfs. Keep an eye on the water temperatures. There is a voluntary closure on fishing the river by local industry fly-fishers and regular anglers. While the water temperatures are cooling, it is still too warm in the afternoon. Give it a little longer before fishing the Truckee.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fishing fair. Warm water has driven the fish deep. Blood midge and Callibaetis mayflies are the hatches most prevalent right now. Imitate these and you have a chance.
