Fly Fishing Terrestrials - An Often Overlooked Food Source For Trout

What are terrestrials?it makes sense that most ants, inchworms,
Strictly speaking, terrestrials are all creatures thatbeetles and grasshoppers enter the water by
live on land. This would, of course, include humans.falling from overhanging brush or from the side of
However, when fly fishing for trout we arethe bank. Start casting to the opposite bank and
generally referring to insects and sometimes evenlet the fly travel with the current making sure to
small rodents. There are fly patterns that imitatekeep enough slack line on the water to prevent
mice that can be used to lure big trout, but theythe line from pulling the fly causing it to drag
are most often used in bass fishing. The mostagainst the current. This presentation of the fly is
common terrestrial flies are ants andcalled a dead drift. If there is drag, the fly will not
grasshoppers (usually referred to as "hoppers" bydrift naturally and the trout will not strike your fly...
fly anglers.) There are also patterns that imitateusually. With Grasshoppers, often the technique
beetles, crickets, cicadas and worms (the greenused is to actually overshoot the far end of the
inchworm is a very effective pattern in the springbank and pull the fly back to the waters edge. If
when these larvae are abundant.) There are alsothere is no immediate strike, often a couple of
patterns like the Fat Albert and the Chernobyl anttwitches on your fly line will generate some action.
which don't really imitate any specific insect butWith the smaller flies, it is best to stick with the
somehow work their magic in enticing trout todead drift. Without question the water near the
rise to them.banks will be the most productive terrestrial
When is the best time to fish a terrestrialfishing.
pattern?Another option is to use a larger fly as an
Terrestrial insects don't become active until theindicator. My personal favorite is the hopper
spring. Many, like the grasshopper, don't really hitbecause of their abundance around the waters I
their stride until late summer. So, the best time tofish. This fly setup is referred to as a "hopper and
fish these patterns is from early spring all thedropper" rig. The hopper acts not only as a
way through the fall. Like most things in life, therestandard fly, but it is also connected to the
are no absolutes. Sometimes a hopper will work insmaller "dropper" fly and is used to signify any
the spring. I have also caught trout with an antstrikes on the trailing fly. The dropper can be any
pattern on winter days when there were no realnymph, wet fly, or small dry fly and is connected
ants to be found. Often times I choose to fish ato the hook of the hopper by a length of tippet
terrestrial when nothing else seems to work. Youanywhere from 9 inches to 2 feet long. My
may be familiar with the phrase "match thedropper flies are usually tied on with 18 inches of
hatch." This refers to when anglers attempt totippet. If the hopper moves or stops in a sudden
match their flies to what the trout are feeding on.manner or has any unusual movement set the
Often, if your fly is the correct pattern but is toohook!
big or small it will get some looks but no strikes.If you don't keep a few terrestrial flies in your fly
This is much less of a problem with terrestrial flybox, you are really limiting yourself. In the very
fishing because the terrestrial is not usually theleast, a few ants and grasshoppers should always
primary food source and any size presents afind their way into your fly box. You will
tasty morsel to hungry trout.appreciate them on those days when you fish
How should I fish Terrestrial flies?with nothing else because of how effective they
The best place to fish terrestrials and certainlyare as well as that rare day when nothing else
the place to start your casts is where the realworked and your terrestrial saved you from a
bugs enter the water. Most terrestrials can't fly,day without a catch.
and if they can it is for very short distances. So,