In order of Diptera, memebers of the chironomidae family- commonly referred to as "midges"- are the most important to anglers. This is a very large family with over 175 genera and 1000 species. They go through complete metamophosis, passing through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The greatest part of their lives are spent as larvae, which are found in most areas of moving and still waters. Adults emerge throughout the year. Midges in streams are generally smaller than the ones found in lakes. But what they lack in size, they make up for in numbers and availability which make them a very important food source for trout.
