How to Use Insect Lures to Catch Trout

A large portion of a fish's diet consists of aquatic insects in adult and nymph forms. The lures that best imitate these insects are fly patterns tied using thread, feathers and natural or synthetic fibers. An angler can effectively use both nymph and fly patterns by allowing the appropriate fly pattern to float naturally down the current toward the fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing rod Fly reel Fly line Leader Fishing flies Floatant
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Instructions

  1. Determining What Fly Pattern to Use

    • 1

      Determine whether to fish on or below the surface of the water. Look for insects floating on the water (known as a "hatch") or surface disturbances caused by fish. If neither is visible, fish are more likely to strike a subsurface fly such as a nymph.

    • 2

      Capture an aquatic insect. Adult insects ride the surface of the water, and nymphs cling to the rocks on the river bottom.

    • 3

      Choose a fly pattern that approximates the size, shape and color of the insect.

    Fishing the Insect Lure

    • 4

      Before fishing a dry fly, apply floatant to the fly pattern. Use a weighted nymph (or add weight to the fishing line) to fish a nymph pattern along the river bottom.

    • 5

      Cast the fly upstream and slightly across the current. Never cast directly to a visible fish. Instead cast upstream of the fish and allow the fly to float to the fish in a natural manner.

    • 6

      Raise the rod high to lift as much fly line off the water as possible. If the water currents carry the fly line downstream faster than the fly pattern, the fly will be pulled across the water in an unnatural manner. The fly pattern should drift freely in the current.

    • 7

      Raise the tip of the rod when a fish strikes the dry fly. This will set the hook in the fish's mouth. When fishing a nymph, watch the end of the line carefully and raise the rod whenever the end of the line pauses in an unnatural manner.

    • 8

      Once the fish is hooked, bring in the fish by using the reel or by pulling in the line with your free hand. Fish hooked using flies are generally hooked in the mouth, and the fly can come loose if the fish is not handled carefully.