Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Western Hatches: An Angler's Entomology and Fly Pattern Field Guide

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This softcover book not only matches fly patterns to the hatch but also educates the reader to the lifecycles, anatomy, and seasonal hatches of the insects. The illustrations are excellent and even are appealing to those with a biology background. This book single handedly enlightened me (at an age of thirteen) to the art and science of fly fishing. Hence a much greater and in depth appreciation for the craft. The book has sat on my shelf now for many years as a competent reference. I have personally had the opportunity to work with Rick Hafele (author) for a day on a small stream in souther Oregon. I was even more impressed with his keen knowledge and passion for entomology and the art of fly fishing. I highly recommend this book to any one just starting or even better as a a gift to an inquisitive child who will learn much much more than just how to match the hatch. This book will please all audiences though.

I just bought this book, and read it straight through. I have also taken it with me--to the river--to use as it was written. The book is well written, and contains most of the general information that flyfishermen need to really enhance their experience. The only thing I would recommend in any subsequent revisions, is the use of color photographs of the insects. Tight Lines!

Beware that some printed copies of this title are missing pages. Third-party seller "ghbooks" shipped me a copy with pages 17-32 missing. I've e-mailed both the publisher and "ghbooks" to try to get some explanation. Neither responded. I'd suggest buying a new copy direct from Amato publishers. The book itself looks very good, but 16 pages of "mayflies" missing is a very serious omission.

Of the books we were handed to perused at a fly fishing class I liked this one the best. It compared the different flies to the different stages of what the Trout thrive on.
I needed to learn this if I continue to dabble in fly fishing.