When we refer to "insects" in the School of FlyFishing Courses, we are intending a "catchall" term.  We include a wide variety of insect animal life that are relevant to primarily freshwater fish, but that may also be important to some saltwater fish.  Only about 10% of all insects are "aquatic" (i.e., some part of their life cycle involves water); 90% are "terrestrial" and do not rely upon water in their life cycles.

    Organisms associated with aquatic ecosystems are critical to the overall well-being and stability of natural communities and the environment as a whole.  Many fish, amphibians, shorebirds, waterfowl and other animals forage heavily on both aquatic and terrestrial stages of aquatic insects.  Their survival depends upon them.  Fortunately, in recognition of this "indicator" relationship, aquatic organisms are a mandatory evaluation criteria in "Environmental Assessments" or "Environmental Impact Studies" that are required before major alteration of natural systems can take place. 

As a key member of the aquatic ecosystem, aquatic insects are staples in the diets of many freshwater fish.  As converters of plant materials to animal tissue, such insects are indispensable to the overall balance of such ecosystems.  The degree to which a given freshwater environment is able to support a viable fishery is in large part due to the health and abundance of its aquatic insects.

    There is an axiom in fly fishing that states, "where there are bugs, there are fish."  And, vice versa.  Where these factors co-exist, it then becomes "the name of the game" for fly fishers to identify what insects are available to fish . . . to select the fly that will imitate them as closely as possible . . . and present it in a manner consistent with the appearance of the natural insect.  This is the essence of "fly fishing."

Previous / As we begin our study of aquatic insects important to fly fishers, let's start with a simple approach