Deligon on Jan 15, 2010January 15th, 2010, 2:21 pm EST
FISHED THE HIWASSEE RIVER IN TENN , TODAY JAN 15 2010 WEATHER HIGH 50,S
AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF TEMPS IN THE TEENS, EXPECTED MIDGE HATCH,
WE HAVE A SHAD KILL WHICH I WANTED TO FISH STREAMERS HOPING TO TAG A BIG BROWN. BUT THE WINTER STONEFLY HATCH TOOK THE SHOW. DRY FLY FISHING IN JAN. WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF THESE FLIES? CAN THEY TOLERATE THE COLD NIGHT TEMPS? DO THEY EAT AND DRINK? WHOW DO THEY MATE?
THE MORE I LEARN THE MORE I DISCOVER I DON'T KNOW
Taxon on Jan 15, 2010January 15th, 2010, 5:10 pm EST
Deligon-
I assume you are asking about Slender Winter Stoneflies (Capniids) as opposed to Midges.
Stoneflies have an incomplete life cycle, which means they have an egg stage, a nymphal stage (with multiple instars), and a winged adult life stage. Slender Winter Stoneflies are univoltine, which means the have a single generation per year. They spend the vast majority of their lives in the nymphal live stage. During their brief adult live stage, which would generally be measured in days rather than weeks, they are able to survive the harsh winter temperatures within a tiny "cavern" in the snow or ice, and rely on algae for food. Not sure what you mean by "WHOW DO THEY MATE?" but that may be for the best anyway, as I won't risk offending the sensibilities of my good friend, Louis.
Martinlf on Jan 22, 2010January 22nd, 2010, 10:10 am EST
Well, a first. Finally my objections to all the smutty talk about mating and private parts in some of the dreadful XXX rated threads have had an effect! Just don't look up any old threads on identifying caddis or the like, unless you want to be offended. There are explicit photos, some with red arrows pointing to . . . well, you don't want to know.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"