The midges are the most profuse of the aquatic insects that trout feed upon and can be an incredibly frustrating hatch to fish successfully. Midge fishing is not for the impatient. They are found in nearly all slow water or still water situations throughout the world. They do not inhabit flowing water. The midges are found in the family Diptera, along with the mosquitoes and houseflies, and are often mistaken for mosquitoes.
Midges undergo complete metamorphosis like a butterfly.
They have a larval, pupa, and adult stage. The midge lifecycle starts out in the muddy bottom of the lake or pond. Here the larvae dwell in a worm-like form about of an inch in length. They range in colour, but for the most part are blood red or tan, thus their common name . . . Although the bloodworms don't move any significant distance, they do wriggle around a lot.