Hatch Guide
For New England Streams


Hatch Guide


Designed to help anglers identify the aquatic insects on which trout and other freshwater fish feed, and to match them with the appropriate artificial flies and presentation techniques. Such insects, including mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies and others, are seasonal and usually emerge or "hatch" (transform from the larval or pupal to the winged stage) in concentration at a particular time of day. Trout, especially, often key on a specific insect in a particular life stage. The inability to come up with the right fly at such times, especially when surrounded by rising fish, is the bane of the fly fisher's existence.

The Hatch Guide For New England Streams presents a photograph of the natural on each left hand page, along with common and scientific names, a brief description of identifying characteristics and information on habitat and behavior. On the facing right hand page are a photograph of two to four suggested imitations and detailed instructions on how to present them to the fish. The book also includes pattern recipes for each of the imitations. Although written primarily for the New England waters where the author does most of his fishing, the Hatch Guide covers insects that are common to rivers and streams east of the Mississippi River, including the fabled Catskill rivers and the limestone streams of western Pennsylvania.


Softbound, 4x5 inches, 272 pp.
$19.95
Hardcover, 4x5 inches, 272 pp.
$29.95
Available at bookstores, flyshops and sporting goods dealers
or order online from Frank Amato Books.
All text and photographs ©2000 Thomas Ames Jr.