Aquatic Trout Food - Frogs & Tadpoles

Frogs are overjoyed by rising water and into the spring they lay their eggs which can provide millions of tadpoles - a trout delicacy.

Frogs become livelier in the spring floods when the water gets into the marshes. Elevated water temperature in the marshes triggers mating. The eggs hatch into tadpoles and as water temperatures warm even more, insect life is boosted and food is provided for the tadpoles and young frogs.

As the frogs swim around looking for sites to lay eggs, the trout get very excited and pick up frog movement over distance. They will cruise eagerly and intercept. Once tadpoles reach reasonable size and number, if trout can get access, e.g. water rising into the marshes, they will get right in amongst them for a feast.

Fly fishing strategy

The fly fisher would ideally approach when light levels are low, e.g. overcast, drizzly days. Select a fly such as a fur fly, or Mrs Simpson, which can be plopped around tussocks and worked like a frog.

Try using a Black Matuka or a black fur fly for abundance of tadpoles.

The most exciting priority is to maintain a sharp lookout for fish movement, i.e. plant and weed movement, swirls, bulges, fins and tails!

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Fly fishing Tasmania - techniques for catching trout when frogs and tadpoles are about.