Best time of year to harvest hellgramites

This topic is about the Insect Family Corydalidae

Hellgrammites are the vicious larvae of the Dobsonflies, some of the only trout stream insects which pose a biting threat to the angler. The pincers of the adult are even more frightening that the larva's, and they're aggressive enough to use them once in a while.

This family's life cycle does not create good dry fly opportunities, but the larvae may be eaten by trout year-round. They are a secret told only by stomach samples of well-fed trout. Read more...

Male Nigronia serricornis (Fishfly) Hellgrammite Adult (10 Pictures)

Corydalus (Dobsonflies) Hellgrammite Larva (27 Pictures)

There are 6 more specimens...

The Discussion

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Rblouser	June 27th, 2008, 9:58 am
york pa Posts: 1	I have just recently started fishing with hellgies and need some info on the best time of year for catching, bait. Any insight will be greatly appreciated

GONZO	June 27th, 2008, 3:34 pm
Site Editor "Bear Swamp," PA Posts: 1636	Because Hellgrammites live in the water for several years, they are always available. Here's how many of the old-time smallmouth fishermen along the Susquehanna collect the larvae: First, they take a large (~3' by 3') section of window screening and attach a strong stick or large dowel along either side to make a seine. Then, they head to a section of the river that is shallow, rocky, and easy to wade. They stand in the current, holding the screen downstream, and kick around in the rocks. Before long, they have a good supply of the big uglies for bait. Just remember that there is a limit on "fishbait," and watch where you put your fingers! ;)

RoosterUBC	May 4th, 2009, 3:43 pm
Posts: 1	After harvesting Hellgramittes - is there a good, particular, best way to store them or keep them for longer periods of time? Assuming I harvest in May, how long are they likely to last before they do whatever it is hellgramittes do naturally? ie: live, die, evolve, morph, etc...

WHITEOAK79	June 17th, 2009, 12:33 pm
Posts: 1	I keep my hellgramites in a homemade minnie tank (old chest freezer sealed with silicone and a new thermostat to keep the water at 50 degrees, and a large aerator from the local pet store) It only cost me about $25 total. But before I built that I used to keep them in a tupperware bowl w/ a lid in the refrigerator, make sure you poke holes in it. Put about 3" of water in it... I've never had one die on me. But now that I think about it, I've never kept them longer than a few days! Hope this helps... good luck!
	If you keep em', what will you catch next time?

Tom	April 2nd, 2010, 6:04 pm
Missouri Posts: 4	The following facts apply to clippers: --Difficult too find in small streams and screening in authorized trout streams may be illegal. --Old guys, like myself, feel for the clippers under the rocks, in fast water, in the river. Pick up the rock slowly and slide your hands under the rock. The clipper will, in most cases, be easy too feel. Put the clipper into a small baitcan. This method is also used for stone caddys. If your up too it, wear a hat, and every time you get a clipper put him in your hair. He will stay there until you remove him. It is best to get clippers from June on through August. Why? Because its warmer when you wade. --Another way too get clippers is too dig in gravel, along the shore, when the stream or river drops its water levels. Use a small flower tool, three pronged. --Store clippers in a four by four metal container. Put old newsaper in the tin and cover it with burlap. Keep burlap moist. Good Luck
	Tom

Afishinado	April 4th, 2010, 5:00 am
SE PA Posts: 12	Tom from Missouri?!?.....I took a peek at your profile and it said: "Old fisherman who was raised in Pa along the Susquehanna River." I knew it! I would bet somewhere in or near the Wyoming Valley (Wilkes=Barre / Scranton) Good stuff. Your post brought back some great memories. All true and good advice BTW.

Oldredbarn	April 5th, 2010, 7:41 am
Novi, MI Posts: 1218	Fellas! "Fly Fishing for Trout is the greatest sport in the world. On any level it is an exciting encounter with nature. On the highest level, it is a chance to match wits not against a fish, but against the power of evolution itself to hone a creature's instinct for scrutiny to masterful levels. Coaxing a selective trout into taking your fly is the most satisfying challenge in fishing. This site is both a scientific reference to help you catch more trout while fly fishing and a photographic tribute to our trout streams." This is from the introduction to this site...I hate to step on anyone's bunnions, but maybe you should visit a Bass Pro site for bait harvesting info. We will be more than happy to show you how to tie one of Harry Murray's Hellgrammite imitations or a dark colored Woolly Bugger...Here's hoping a Corydalis cornutus nips you on the end of your bait grubbing little fingers...I have a feeling you already knew this and were trying to prick ours a bit...What do you think? Spence

Guidefish00	June 29th, 2010, 12:51 pm
Banned NY Posts: 1	This site really gives me more info regarding fishing. I just started fishing with my buddies. I never thought I could appreciate fishing, and now I've been looking forward to it everyday. I have learned a lot from this site and every post in here regarding fishing gives me ideas. Thanks a lot! Looking forward for more in here.. Jun K.
	This Link was Spam, but now it goes to Google

Ditch	July 1st, 2010, 9:12 am
Woodstock VA Posts: 31	Harry is only about 5 miles from me something local.

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Troutnut Forum > Fly Hatch Talk > Best time of year to harvest hellgramites

This topic is about the Insect Family Corydalidae

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