Matching the Hatch: Stillwater, River and Stream

Rating:
Summary: Entomology 101
Review: As a freshwater fly fisherman, I am always attempting to learn more about the sport. To successfully catch trout, it helps to know and understand the basic life cycles of trout food, i.e. mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis flies (you could throw in midges and alderflies). Thus I purchased this book primarily to further establish my foundation regarding aquatic insects, looking for the "how to's" of recognizing different insects and their stages. Unfortunately, this text is primarily a color atlas of specific insects and specific stages, thus rendering it thorough but inapplicable. The goal of matching the hatch is to RAPIDLY recognize a hatch/stage in terms of body shape, size, color, activity, and habitat so you can respond quickly before you miss your window. In other words, recongnize if it's a stonefly, mayfly, or caddis fly, and the stage, then duplicate it with the fly. The fish doesn't care what the insect's name is. If you want to identify a specific insect, or if your learning entomology, then this book's for you. If you're desiring a practical book for fly fishing, forget it. Instead, I'd recommend "Handbook of Hatches" by David Hughes. Overall, too much information...keep it simple and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Entomology 101
Review: As a freshwater fly fisherman, I am always attempting to learn more about the sport. To successfully catch trout, it helps to know and understand the basic life cycles of trout food, i.e. mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis flies (you could throw in midges and alderflies). Thus I purchased this book primarily to further establish my foundation regarding aquatic insects, looking for the "how to's" of recognizing different insects and their stages. Unfortunately, this text is primarily a color atlas of specific insects and specific stages, thus rendering it thorough but inapplicable. The goal of matching the hatch is to RAPIDLY recognize a hatch/stage in terms of body shape, size, color, activity, and habitat so you can respond quickly before you miss your window. In other words, recongnize if it's a stonefly, mayfly, or caddis fly, and the stage, then duplicate it with the fly. The fish doesn't care what the insect's name is. If you want to identify a specific insect, or if your learning entomology, then this book's for you. If you're desiring a practical book for fly fishing, forget it. Instead, I'd recommend "Handbook of Hatches" by David Hughes. Overall, too much information...keep it simple and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: matching the hatch
Review: Great book. Everyone who fishes should have one.