Insect Field Guide & Hatch Chart

Insect Field Guide & Hatch Chart

Insect Field Guide

Our chapter is very fortunate to have Mike Cole as one of its active members. Mike is an expert in the field of aquatic insects and their fascinating life cycles. With funding from Trout Unlimited national and the River’s Calendar Project, Mike carefully researched and wrote “A Field Guide To Common Aquatic Insect Hatches in Massachusetts”, a 45 page compendium of information complete with stunning photos of the nymphs, duns and spinners of the major hatches on Massachusetts waters.

CLICK HERE to view this useful reference guide. It is an entomological gem and a great resource for anglers fly fishing The Deerfield River.

Hatch Chart

Time of Year InsectPattern
March – NovemberMidges
(Diptera Chironimidae)
Adult & Pupa – Yellow, Black,
Grey #18-26
Click for photos & info
March – Mid AprilWinter Stonefly
(Taeniopterygidae)
Adults – Black OR Mahogany
w/ grey wings #16-18
Click for photos & info
April – Early May Little Blue Quills
(Paraleptophlebia adoptiva)
Blue Quill #18
Click for photos & info
April – NovemberLittle Blue Winged Olives
(Baetis)
BWO # 18‐24
Click for photos & info
April – MayQuill Gordon
(Epeorus pluralis)
Quill Gordon/ Red Quill dry #14
Click for photos & info
Mid-April – MayHendrickson
(Ephemerella subvaria)
Light Hendrickson dry #14
Click for photos & info
Mid-April – SeptemberYellow Sally
(Chloroperlidae/
Perlodidae)
Yellow Sally dry #14‐18
Click for photos & info
May – AugustBlue Winged Olive
(Drunella)
BWO dry #16‐18
Click for photos & info
May – Early JuneGrannom Caddis
(Brachycentrus)
Henryville Special dry #14‐18,
Grouse and Flash wet #14‐16
Click for photos & info
May – SeptemberCinnamon/Tan Caddis
(Hydropsyche)
Spent Partidge Caddis dry # 16‐20,
Tan Elk Hair Caddis dry #16‐20,
Tan Caddis Pupa #16-18
Click for photos & info
May – June, SeptemberGreen/Olive Caddis
(Ryacophila)
Henryville Special dry #14‐16,
Brown and Green diving Caddis #14‐16
Click for photos & info
Mid May – June to MarchMarch Brown
(Maccaffertium vicarium)
Brown dry #10‐12
Click for photos & info
Late May – JuneGray Winged Yellow Quill
(Epeorus vitreus)
Grey Winged Sulfur,
Little Marryatt dry #14‐16
Click for photos & info
Late May – JunePale Evening Dun
(Ephemerella invaria)
Sulfur dun, Parachute Sulphur # 14‐16
Click for photos & info
June – Early July, SeptemberCream Cahill
(Maffertium,
M. mediopunctatum
and M. modestum)
Light Cahill, Cream Usual #14‐16
Click for photos & info
June – AugustLight Cahill
(Stenacron interpunctatum)
Light Cahill #14,
Parachute Cahill #14
Click for photos & info
June – JulySulphur
(Ephemerella
dorothea)
Sulphur Comparadun,
Sulphur Parachute #16‐18
Click for photos & info
June – AugustLittle Blue Quills
(Paraleptophlebia mollis)
Blue Quill #18/20
Click for photos & info
June – SeptemberSlate Drake
(Isonychia)
Adams, Dark Hendickson, #12‐14 
Click for photos & info
June – JulyGolden Stoneflies
(Perlidae)
Stimulators, Bugmeisters, PMX #6‐10
Click for photos & info
June – SeptemberTerrestrialsHoppers, ants, beetles,
caterpillars, inchworms
fished dry or wet #6‐18 
July – SeptemberLittle Tan Dun
(Serratella serratoides)
#20‐22
Click for photos & info
Late August – SeptemberFlying Ants
(Hymenoptera)
Cinnamon #16‐18, Black #18‐20
Click for photos & info
September – OctoberOctober Caddis
(pycnopsyche)
Goddard Caddis #14‐16, PMX #14‐16
Click for photos & info