Originally Posted by
Preston Singletary
Kerry,
I've fished the lower Skagit "spring run" a few times but usually used chum/pink fry imitations since the cutthroat (and bull trout) really feed heavily on them and, in fact, take advantage of this "moveable feast" as they follow the migration down and into the salt.
I've encountered the Alderfly hatch on several lakes in the spring. They are members of the genus Sialis and closely resemble a dark-colored caddis. Apparently the subfamily Sialidae were the first aquatic insects to develop a pupal stage. They are closely related to the Dobsonfly (hellgramite) and their larvae are equally vicious predators (often called "toebiters). Although they resemble caddis they are unable to float and quickly sink and drown if they fall to the water. Here's a picture of of one and of a soft hackle I put together that worked pretty well.