Fishy Friday - Bugs are Hatching Already

Two tiny midges struggle across a snowbank just after hatching this past weekend.
All photos by Evan Jones

You might not believe it with all the snow falling today, but aquatic insects throughout our watershed are already starting to hatch. Most of the average trout’s diet consists of these bugs, making them a vital component of a healthy ecosystem. Aquatic insects belong to four different families: midges, caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies. Many species within these families are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality—such as rising temperatures, increasing sedimentation, and chemical influx—so while they may seem innumerable during heavy spring hatches, aquatic insect populations can be drastically reduced by even temporary fluctuations in our waterways. And that’s why it’s so great to see them emerging already in spite of the late winter: these bugs are similar to the proverbial canary in the coal mine, indicating that the EVWC–and others–have indeed been effective in upholding our commitment to ensuring the health and ongoing preservation of this watershed, including the flora and fauna within.

Extreme close-up of a tiny black stonefly (less than 1” long) frequently seen among the first hatches of the spring.