Customer Reviews

Handbook of Hatches (David Hughes Fishing Library)

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

 

 

Trout eat things. Sometimes its nymphs, sometimes its Duns, sometimes its Terrestrails. This book discusses the insects that Trout eat and gives you clues on how to determine what they are eatting and how to match it when you hit the water. This fisherman introduction to bugs is scientific enough to get you started into further research if you would like and basic enough that you don't have to learn Latin names in order to understand what type of Caddis you are looking for. This book is also a good resource for learning how to tie flies that will match the hatches that you are experiencing. The only downfall in my opinion is that the pictures are not in color and therefore you don't get as exact of a photographic match of the insects as you would would color photography.

Outstanding...the book i've been looking for. As a freshwater fly fisherman, I've been looking for a book that offers an applicable approach to matching the hatch. This book succeded. Hughes successfully establishes the primary aquatic insects of a trout's diet (stoneflies, mayflies, and caddis flies) then skillfully and simply explains each species specific life cycle. His basic premise is to focus on 5 aspects of an insect/hatch to successfully immitate and fish it: shape (determined by species and stage), color, size, behavior, and habitat. Maintaining this theme throughout the text allows you to store this information in a logical and simple form. Futhermore, it allows you to apply this knowledge rapidly and with confidence. It the fish doesn't care what the Latin name of its food is, why should we? This book is based on the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid. Outstanding.

In a world of fly fishing literature where peolpe obsess over the number of joints in a mayfly nymph's tarsus, this book stands head and shoulders abouve the crowds. Why? Because it actually presents useful, relevant, and easy to use information on the basics of aquatic insects that are important as trout food. Dave Hughes presents excellent summaries of the life stages of all these insects from nymph or larva through pupa, dun, and spinner. He presents the very best patterns in the most useful sizes and colors. This is GREAT for those of us who'd rather spend time off the water filling up fly boxes with simple to tie, reliable patterns than tying knots in hackle barbs to mimic every little joint of a midge's toes. Using Hughes's book, it's easy to very quickly get a handle on the most important patterns to have to cover 95% of the hatches you'll experience on the water. I bought this book many years ago, but I still use it as a reference since it is truly timeless. Best of all, Hughes has a relaxed, entertaiing writing style that makes it a pleasure to read. This boko is an excellent addition to anyone's angling library!