Mosquito

Mosquitoes are small flying insects belonging to the family Culicidae. Three significant species of mosquitoes commonly targeted in fly fishing are Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex. These mosquitoes can be found in a variety of habitats, from stagnant water to more moving streams. They are typically small, ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 inches in length, with females being the ones that feed on blood. These species are found worldwide and are particularly important to fish as a food source during their larval, pupal, and adult stages. While mosquitoes are known for their role in disease transmission, they are also an important part of the food web, especially in warmer months when they hatch in large numbers. In fly fishing, they are commonly imitated with small, delicate dry flies, especially during the adult or “dun” stage. The most common hook sizes for mosquito imitations range from 18 to 24.