Matching the hatch?

[troutenhausen]

Put simply, I have difficulty matching the hatch when it is above the surface. I guess the classic dry fly imitations look very alike to me. Does anyone have any pointers for the Current when it comes to dry fly hatches, or some go to imitations that seem to work in a particular situation? I always have success with nymphs/droppers, but my dry fly/indicator fly selection usually suits what I want to see, opposed to what the trout are tuned in to. I guess part 2 of my posting would be to ask about midging. I can see the trout sipping at the surface, but what color and size are they sipping?

[Gavin]

Caddis are the most abundant insect on the Current followed by Blue Winged Olives, Trico's, Hex, and March Browns.

Caddis usually run in the size 14-18 range, brown with brown, gray, yellow or olive bodies. They look like little moths fluttering around, but theres a big October Caddis which usually runs about a size 6-8. Trico's and BWO are tiny usually size 18-24 and look like little gray wispys with big wings. Hex and March Browns are big mayflies, but they usually emerge and fall around dusk.

FWIW, Imitating insects works best on the little fish, bigger ones tend to prefer shiner minnows and sculpins. Cheers.