The Daddy Long Legs, more correctly known as the crane fly, is one of the most important terrestrial insects for fly anglers during late summer and autumn. Unlike aquatic insects that hatch from the river, Daddy Long Legs develop on land before finding their way onto the water, where they become an irresistible meal for trout. Few flies create as confident a rise as a struggling Daddy Long Legs drifting naturally downstream.
The hatch usually begins during late August before peaking throughout September and often continuing well into October. During this period, freshly emerged crane flies can be found in grassland, meadows and fields bordering rivers and stillwaters. Windy conditions regularly blow them onto the water, where their long legs and poor flying ability leave them struggling helplessly on the surface.
Daddy Long Legs are equally effective on rivers and stillwaters. River trout often patrol grassy banks, undercut margins and slower glides looking for wind-blown insects, while stillwater trout will cruise close to the margins searching for terrestrials that have fallen onto the surface. On breezy autumn days, the hatch can provide some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the season.
Presentation should imitate the behaviour of the natural insect. A drag-free drift is normally the best approach on rivers, although occasional twitches can imitate a struggling crane fly attempting to escape. On stillwaters, allowing the fly to sit static before adding the occasional gentle pull often produces explosive takes.
Unlike many aquatic hatches, Daddy Long Legs fishing depends as much on the weather as it does the insects themselves. A warm, breezy day can blow large numbers onto the water, while calm conditions may see very few naturals available to the fish. Watching the banks and surrounding vegetation often provides the best indication of whether it's worth tying one on.
At Peaks Fly Fishing, the Daddy Long Legs is one of our favourite autumn flies. As the major summer hatches begin to fade, trout quickly switch their attention to large terrestrial insects. Carrying a few Daddy patterns during late summer and autumn can transform a difficult day into one of the most memorable sessions of the year.
## Recommended Fly Patterns
### Adults
* Daddy Long Legs
* Peaks Fly Fishing Foam Eyed Daddy
* Foam Daddy
* Detached Body Daddy
* CDC Daddy
* Hopper Daddy
## Peaks Fly Fishing Tips
* Fish close to grassy banks, reed beds and undercut margins.
* Windy days often produce the best Daddy Long Legs fishing.
* Let the fly drift naturally, but don't be afraid to add the occasional twitch.
* Large trout often patrol surprisingly shallow margins looking for blown-in terrestrials.
* Always keep a few Daddy Long Legs patterns in your fly box from late August until the end of the season - they regularly account for some of the biggest trout of the autumn.
