Cranefly

LARVA SIZE: 10-100 mm (3/8 to 4 in)

LARVA COLOR: Pale olive, gray-olive, dark gray

ADULT SIZE: 5-25 mm (3/16 to 1 in)

ADULT COLOR: Wing: mottled brownBody: Brown, tan, cream, gray

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Larvae are large and tubular; the head is often pulled inside, making the larva look headless or worm-like. Adults have long legs and, typically, mottled brown wings.

Mouse-over for alternate views: Larva    Adult 1    Adult 2

About Craneflies

Like midges, craneflies are two-winged insects, but they are significantly bigger than midges. The larva looks like an overweight worm and is often a pale, creamy color. Some make their home underwater, living in woody debris, algae, and other underwater vegetation. But most cranefly larvae live in damp soil above the waterline.

Despite most species' terrestrial habitat, the larvae sometimes drift in the current and are taken by trout. Strong rains or sudden rises in the river level take the blame for this. So a cranefly larva pattern dead-drifted near the bank of a swollen creek can be effective.

Adult craneflies can be important, too. If you're on a small, cool stream at dusk, a cranefly imitiation can be your ticket to success. They can be very successful on larger waters, too, and are an anticpated mid- to late-summer event on some major rivers. A skating presentation is often effective with adult patterns.

Articles About Craneflies

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Craneflies Craneflies are generally overlooked by anglers, but they can be important both in their larval and adult forms. Jeff Morgan

Tying Adult Craneflies We kick off a new monthly fly-tying column with cranefly adults. They're abundant, loved by trout, and no one imitates them. Find out how to tie two super patterns. Jeff Morgan

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/
COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Egg-layer

Clarks Stonefly, MacSalmon, Madam X, Sofa Pillow, Stimulator

6-8/tan-yellow, dirty yellow

Standard dry fly, Skating, Surface swing, Shallow nymph

Bankwater near foilage, riffles, moderate-fast runs, backeddies, seams