As spring blossoms into early summer, many more aquatic insects become active and hatch. These are often mixed with midges. The trout will feed on both. Midges will be of little importance then. With the swift murky water and the larger aquatic insects present, larger fly patterns will be better producers at this time.
Midges struggling to get out of their shucks make easy targets for surface-feeding trout.
Some excellent experiences of casting to rising fish can be had around the West then. Most spring midges are gray to black in color. Some may show a tinge of olive. Trout can eat the larvae but tend to eat more ascending and hatching pupae and adults when they are available. On swifter mountain streams midges can be of less importance, sharing the trout s attention with the little winter stoneflies.