|
Many fish survive by eating the minibeasts that live underwater. By looking at the different types of minibeasts that are found in lochs and rivers we can imitate them with the artificial flies we use when fly fishing and catch more fish.
Common River and Loch Minibeasts
Minibeast Life Cycles and Fishing
Many of the minibeasts found in freshwater are types of insects and like all insects go through a change, or metamorphosis, at some point in their lives. An example of this is a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Most of the insects found in freshwater live below the water before their metamorphosis, and above the water after it. After their metamorphosis they leave the water by breaking through the water surface before drying their wings and flying away. Anglers refer to this as a “hatch”.
The point at which the minibeasts swim from the bottom to the surface of the water, go through their metamorphosis and “hatch” from the water is one of the most dangerous parts of their lifecycle as they have to come out into the open water where they can be seen by fish. It is at this stage that many insects are eaten by fish.
Minibeasts after Metamorphosis
Imitative Fishing Flies
|
