Driftless Hatch Charts
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all aquatic insects found in Driftless trout streams, instead we have highlighted those hatches that are most important to us as fly fishers. Below each chart you will find information about each insect and the most effective patterns to imitate them.
Mayflies of the Driftless
It wouldn't be right if I didn't give a plug for one of our favorite books. It's written by Carl Richards. In it, he talks specifically about fish feeding behavior, and it has the more detailed information about aquatic insects and their hatching behavior than any book I seen. I haven't found too many libraries that carry it, but you can usually find it relatively inexpensive on amazon.
Wisconsin Driftless Fly Fishing
Minnesota Driftless Fly Fishing
Caddisflies of the Driftless
Below you will find the Caddis hatch chart for the driftless region. Imitating caddis is more about size and their action on the water, than it is actually matching what they look like. So Instead of listing out specific patterns for each species, below the insect photos, we have listed our favorite patterns that can be effective for all species by simply changing size and how you move them on the water.