A Guide to Fly Fishing America's Best Trout Streams
Mayfly Life Cycle: A Trout’s View
by Fly Fishing Reporter on February 26, 2010
Last Friday night we kicked off our Baetis fly tying video series in anticipation of one of the most prolific mayfly hatches of the season, the Blue Winged Olives. Before we continue the series I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick review of the Mayfly Life Cycle. Fortunately for us, Ralph and Lisa Cutter produced Bugs of the Underworld a really cool DVD that provides a fascinating trout's view of the mayfly life cycle.
Mayfly Life Cycle
Simple Life Cycle
The mayfly life cycle is rather simple progressing from an egg directly to the nymph stage and then the adult stage, a process called incomplete metamorphosis. Mayfly nymphs closely resemble the adults they blossom into, unlike the Caddisfly that goes through a complete metamorphosis and looks nothing like the adult in the early (larval and pupal) development stages.
Nymphs, Emergers, Duns & Spinners, Oh My!
Complete Life Cycle
Now that we have a visual understanding of the mayfly life cycle, when we come back next Friday night we'll resume our Baetis fly tying video series and serve up some scrumptious Blue Winged Olive patterns that are sure to make your season.
Till then...
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