Talking Bugs: What Trout Are Really Eating This Time of Year

You can tell a lot about a trout stream by watching what’s in the air—and in the film.

Late June is bug season in full swing. PMDs, caddis, green drakes, yellow sallies, stoneflies—they’re all showing up, depending on your water. And with them come trout that are looking up.

But the real secret isn’t just knowing what bugs are hatching. It’s knowing how trout respond to them.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on above and below the surface this time of year—and how to fish it.

Match the Hatch? Sort Of.

We’ve all heard it: match the hatch.

And sure, it helps to know the difference between a size 14 caddis and a size 18 PMD. But here’s the truth: presentation and timing matter more than perfection.

If you see consistent rising fish, chances are they’re keyed in on:

• PMDs mid-morning through early afternoon

• Caddis in the evening, especially on warm days

• Drakes or golden stones during heavy emergence windows

• Small yellow mayflies or sallies in faster freestone rivers

When in doubt, go with the classic progression:

1. Emerger

2. Cripple

3. Adult

4. Spinner (especially PMDs at dusk)

Trout often feed at the easiest stage to eat—so if they’re ignoring your dun, try a low-floating emerger with trailing shuck.

It’s Not Always What’s on Top

Even in a big hatch, trout often feed just beneath the surface, picking off emergers and crippled adults before they break through the film.

That’s why patterns like the Sparkle Dun, CDC emerger, and soft hackles can be deadly in June. Drift them just below the surface or swing them across seams at the end of your drift for that classic, heart-stopping take.

And if the hatch hasn’t started yet? Don’t wait. Tie on a beadhead pheasant tail or caddis pupa and get it near the bottom. The trout are still there—just not looking up yet.

This Is When Bamboo Comes Alive

June bugs call for finesse.

Long leaders. Light tippet. Delicate drifts. And most of all—feel.

That’s where bamboo rods excel. The forgiving action gives you better feedback during the cast and more control during the drift, especially with dry flies and emergers. The tip softness cushions the tippet on the hookset, and the flex helps you protect light leaders when a big fish surprises you in shallow water.

It’s not about making the longest cast. It’s about making the right one, with the right fly, in the right rhythm.

And for that, there’s nothing like bamboo.

Keep Your Eyes on the Water

The next few weeks are some of the most exciting of the season. Bugs are hatching. Trout are hungry. And every evening feels like a chance to catch magic in motion.

So tie a few fresh flies. Watch the water. And don’t forget to look up—you never know when a hatch will turn the river on.

👉 [Explore Rods Built for Dry Fly Season]