Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The strength of this book is its approach at SIMPLIFYING your selection of trout patterns. Hughes' basic contribution is to make the point that bugs of specific families (e.g. mayflies, caddisflies, etc.) can all be matched by the same fly style. All that needs to be changed to match the natural is color and size. For example, a parachute style fly can be used to match BWOs, PMDs, Hendricksons, and any other mayfly. What needs to vary is just the color and size.

The other helpful point from this book is the idea that basic pattern designs should be chosen to match water conditions, not specific hatches. For example, Catskill flies for rough water, Comparadun style for smooth water, Parachute style for water in between. This is in contrast to selecting pattern designs for specific bugs (e.g. comparadun for a BWO).

The true value of this book is the focused clarity on selecting and tying patterns for a simplified fly box. I think this book will be useful for beginners confused by the vast array of available patterns, and for more advanced anglers looking for clarity and simplicity in their pattern selections.

This is far more than an introduction to the entymology, the context, and the how-to instruction to identifying, tying and fishing with flies that match the hatches. Clearly written and well illustrated with color photography, Handbook of Hatches is a pleasure to read and reread. Food here for the novice and for the experienced fly fisher.

Very well written, gave me (a novice) a lot of good information about what trout eat and where to find them. I especially liked the comparison with a real fly and then a picture of a tied fly. Great, I would recommend this to anyone novice or very experienced.

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.

This book is for the fisherman who wants to know what is going on underwater on trout waters. It details the life cycle of those insects that comprise the trouts diets and evolves a fly pattern to mimic each phase of insect development. This book is a must for anyone who fishes with flies.

Best book on fly fishing I have ever read. Wish someone had given me this book after I had been fishing for a year or so. Presents a lot of info in a well organized, manageable manner that is an enjoyable read. Give it to all of your fly fishing friends, but only if you want them to catch a lot more fish.

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.

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.

Good insight and excellent graphics. I have the two classics Hatches II and Caddis Fly. I actually find this more useful and much easier to read.

I always wanted a book that would match my assembly of flies with the real hatch!! I think I found it. There are so many spin-offs of traditional fly patterns that many times I don't know what they represent. This book helps with that and gives you several patterns of the same traditional fly.

This will help me identify many, many 'loose' fly patterns and put them where they belong. TERRIFIC