Crane Fly
Adult coloration
Brown
Tan
Description
Overview
The Crane Fly, often called a "daddy longlegs," is a long-legged fly (order Diptera) common near slow-moving streams, ponds, and damp meadows. Adults resemble oversized mosquitoes but are harmless to humans, and trout feed eagerly on both larval and adult stages. Hatches run heaviest in late summer and early fall, giving anglers a solid window for unique imitations.
Nymph
Larvae, often called "leatherjackets," are plump and cylindrical, running 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches, with soft grayish-brown to olive, segmented bodies. Found in muddy or sandy streambeds, they're a high-protein meal for trout. Weighted patterns dredged along soft edges, undercut banks, or silty pools with a slow dead drift are effective. Hook sizes: 8 to 12.
Dry/Adult
Adults are slender, 1 to 1 1/2 inches in body length, with long, delicate legs and tan to gray bodies. Once they fall in, their flailing struggle draws easy strikes. Present dry patterns with a slight drag or skitter to match that motion, focusing on warm, calm evenings when adults are most active. Hook sizes: 8 to 12.
Curated by the IdentaFly fly fishing team.
