by Chris Scalley
Transition Time
June is the transition period from spring to summer food sources for tailwater trout. The “spring abundance” of mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies is over, and now trout are switching to alternative food sources. In many southern tailwater rivers aquatic vegetation is prevalent, which is perfect habitat for crustaceans such as crayfish, sow bugs and scuds. Keep in mind too that this moss is home to a small mayfly nymph called a BWO or blue-winged-olive which hatches all summer in the evenings.
Another overlooked aquatic insect that anglers should imitate is the larvae and adult stages of the cranefly. There are other fish species like darters or sculpin and even juvenile trout which large brown trout prey upon. Summertime is also terrestrial time when land-based insects proliferate such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers and crickets which fall from the overhanging vegetation of the stream banks.
With our current drought situation, tailwaters may be your only option for trout this summer in Georgia.