Handbook Of Hatches: Introductory Guide to the Foods Trout Eat & the Most Effective Flies to Match Them

True, I'm not the most knowledgeable fly fisher, but I have read a fair number of books and articles about fly fishing. When I began reading Handbook of Hatches I expected to learn something, but I didn't expect to learn so much about hatches, fly presentation and fly tying. Best of all, Dave Hughes' books helps keep fly fishing relatively simple and therefore enjoyable. (I'm certainly not the kind of angler who changes flies every ten minutes or so.)What did I learn? For example: how mayflies behave when they emerge; how all mayfly spinners are about the same size, but not when they were nymphs; how swimming flies work better than crawling ones in slow water; and how Elk Hair Caddis with the bottom hackle trimmed off work better on smooth water than full-hackled flies.Also, matching a caddis hatch is certainly not as important as matching a mayfly hatch, as caddis hatches are not so well defined.Of course, there's a lot of great info on the shapes and colors of different kinds of insects.Finally, the Handbook of Hatches increased my awe and wonder of the beauty of the world. After all, lowly insects now seem like amazing, evolved creatures.

I was very nervous about ordering a book sight unseen about this topic. This turned out to be perfect for my needs. I love this book and how its done. Dave Hughes is a giant in the fly fishing world and he produced a very useful instructive book that will help me become a better fisherman. Don't hesitate. buy this one if Stream insects and matching flies are your quest.

This is a really good introduction to the world of trout fishing entomology. It is written from a layman's perspective, so it is an easy read and enjoyable for anyone who would like to learn about the subject. Dave Hughes mixes personal stories with biological facts and practical application. A great deal of useful information is presented in this book. My one problem with the book is that it is written from a western perspective. Being from West Virginia, I have never been near western waters and can only speculate about how useful this information will be for me and the waters I fish. However, having said that, I believe I have garnered quite a bit of useful information and will add this book to my library as a valuable resource.

Dave Hughes is a professional writer that happens to be an avid fly fisherman. That much is obvious after reading one page of his book, "Handbook of Hatches." It would take years of experience to get to the level knowledge and the level of confidence that simply reading this book will take you to. Let's face it, a book about insects could be very tedious, OK, boring; but Mr. Hughes book reads like you are are sitting down and having a conversation with him, while fishing! He has approached this subject in a friendly and enduring style that I would not have though possible. As to the importance of the work; I believe that this is a "must have" reference for anyone that hasn't already spent a lifetime on a trout river.

I absolutely love this book. Dave Hughes presents the basics of trout-related entomology in a clear, organized way that is easy to understand and retain, and is a lot of fun to read to boot. It is most definitely an introductory guide (although probably entirely sufficient for the majority of fly fishers) but it is thorough and detailed nonetheless. My appreciation and understanding of what is happening on, around, and in my favorite trout streams has vastly increased after reading (and re-reading) this book, as has my ability to understand which fly to use when and why. Most importantly I have more fun out on the water.I bought this book several years ago for myself and recently purchased another copy as a gift for a young and enthusiastic fly fisher I know. If you have no, or very limited, knowledge of the insects important to trout and those who seek to catch them, and would like to correct that hole in your knowledge base, then I can't recommend this book highly enough

I was never really interested in bugs, but felt like I should learn about them to help catch fish. This book was exactly what I was looking for. I could care less about scientific names, but I'd like to be able to go to a stream and be able to base my fly selection on what insects I find. Handbook of Hatches has given me the tools to do just that. The author intersperses stories and examples, making a potentially very boring subject quite entertaining. Highly recommended, I would say especially for those looking to get beyond the 'beginner' stage of fly fishing.

One of the first and best books anyone wishing to begin fly fishing should read. My opinion is that there more than a few people thrashing around with a fly rod who could use the knowledge imparted in this book. It is what the title and subtitle say it is, and well written in an interesting way, and backed with real life examples from the author's fishing career. Guide to the naturals, the patterns, and the presentations. Essential handbook for your approach to the water and food sources for trout.Enjoyed reading this book and will read it again and reference it often, for all the information and techniques that it has to offer. Will not lend my copy to anyone!!!Thank you, Dave.

Dave Hughes has hit a homerun with this offering. Very informative! Good reading, as well as a great reference guide. I've been fly fishing for over 25 years and have accumilated quite a library of books that cover all aspects of the sport. Many books dredge over the same material over and over again. Handbook of Hatches gives a different perspective at choosing the best fly for a particular situation. Imitative vs. impressionistic. When and where to use each.My copy stays in my Jeep, ready to be thumbed through during a break to help me solve any trout food issues that I may be encountering. It has proven to be a fine streamside guide that myself and my fellow fly fishermen have gone to many times.

V good

good book if you live in the USA, great read but not too relevant for europe

I have comple6ed the chapter on mayflies. The takeaway is a much better understanding & appreciation of this insect and its place in trout fishing.I have taken the liberty of extracting a lot useful information and condensing it into a fly selection guide. I plan to do the same for other flies Dave has written about in his book. It appears to me to be one of the best-written books on insects, their habitat, behaviour, and imitation. I am finding that I can reduce the number of patterns I need to carry (and tie) and still enjoy my time at the bench and success on the stream. I urge anyone who has an interest in fly fishing for trout to purchase and study this book.

Als nordamerikanischer Angler schrieb David Hughes dieses Buch natürlich aus seinen Erfahrungen an den Gewässern Nordamerikas. Man sollte meinen, daß seine Beschreibungen der Wasserinsekten, ihrer Lebensweisen, Entwicklungsstadien, deren Bedeutung als Fischnährtiere und deren Nachahmungen nur auf nordamerikanische Gewässer zuträfen.Man meinte verkehrt.Das in diesem Werk gesammelte Wissen ist speziell genug, um auf jede Situation am Wasser vorbereitet zu sein. Es ist gleichzeitig allgemein genug, um an jedem Gewässer brauchbar zu sein. Selbst wenn man andere Muster als die beschriebenen vorzieht, wird man nach dieser Lektüre seine Lieblingsmuster richtig einordnen und auf die Geschehnisse am Wasser anwenden können.Dabei ist es angenehmn zu lesen und durch zahlreiche Erzählungen von Hughes's Erfahrungen am Wasser aufgelockert."Handbook of Hatches" ist zusammen mit "Reading the Water" vom gleichen Autor das wichtigste Werk, daß man als Flugangler für einen schönen Tag am Wasser benötigt.

My sleep has never been better. 6 pages at a time, this is a great book if you fish. My afternoon naps have been taken to a new level.