Select the Perfect Fly-How to Use the
Digital Hatch Guides:
Digital Hatch Guides:
Purpose:
The “Digital Hatch Guide” series was designed to make it easy and convenient for you to
determine which aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, baitfish and other natural foods are
most likely available for trout to eat on the major trout waters in the United States at any time of
the season. Most importantly, it tells you the flies you need to imitate these naturals.
The Right Bug:
In order that you can easily locate any insect or other trout food shown on the hatch guides in the
optional “Trout Food” or “The Perfect Fly” series, we have cross-referenced every fly
recommended with an alphanumeric identifier. For example, a M106D, is the alphanumeric
designation for a particular blue-winged olive dun. This helps avoid the uncertainty that can
sometimes occur when only the common names of insects and flies are used. Often the same
specie of insect has several common names and often, the same common name is sometimes
used to refer to several other specie of insects. The scientific names, if you prefer to use them,
also properly identify each insect, but the alphanumeric designation makes it simple.
Two Types of Flies:
In all cases, both a specific and non-specific pattern is recommended for each stage of life for
each insect or other trout food listed on the hatch guide. The recommended non-specific flies
give you the option of using flies that can be obtained from fly shops and commercial tiers and
the specific flies are our “Perfect Fly” patterns that you may prefer to tie. The recommended non-
specific fly patterns that are tied and sold commercially are identified by their commonly used
name, an “Adams”, for example, in addition to the alphanumeric identifier. The specific patterns
recommended, which are not commercially available but provided for those that tie their own
flies, are also cross- referenced by the alphanumeric identifiers for the insects that they were
designed to imitate. The step-by-step procedures for tying these patterns are provided in the
optional “Perfect Fly” series.
How the Programs Work Together:
Cross-referencing permits you to easily locate any insect or other food shown on the hatch
guides on either the optional “Trout Food” or the “Perfect Fly” series of DVDs. Remember, the
“Digital Hatch Guides” tell you what food is most likely available for the trout to eat and which
flies you need to imitate that food. The “Trout Food” series tells you the things you need to know
about the natural food and how to present flies to imitate it. The “The Perfect Fly” series shows,
those that prefer, how to tie the recommended flies.
Stages of the Hatch:
The alphanumeric identifiers are simple. Flies are recommended for each insect at each
applicable stage of life. The first letter, M for example, indicates a mayfly. The number following
the first letter identifies the specie. 101, indicates Beatis tricaudatus, for example. The next letter,
E for example, indicates an emerging imitation of the Beatis tricaudatus. If another small letter
follows, such as Et, it indicates a variation of that stage. In this case "t" indicates a trailing shuck,
for example. On the main menu, you will find a complete list of designations used by the
alphanumeric system.
Seasons:
Please note that the digital hatch guides do not take fishing seasons or any regulations into
consideration because they are subject to change from year to year, state to state, and even
stream to stream. Generally, the charts indicate activity that starts prior to and extends beyond
local fishing seasons. In some cases hatches are shown for the entire year, usually where fishing is
permitted year-round. The digital hatch guides do not represent fishing seasons.
Concentrations:
Although our optional programs that are recommended prerequisites explain the use of hatch
charts in detail, we want emphasize that on any given stream there may be hundreds of different
species of aquatic insects that exist in some quantity. Some specie may occur only in certain
isolated areas of the stream. We are listing what we believe are the most prevalent and important
hatches that anglers should be concerned with. Although the density of any hatch can vary
drastically, the hatches are noted as ”dense, normal or sparse” in order that you have a better
idea of what to expect.
Stream Habitat:
The specie we list are usually not concentrated throughout the entire stream, only in the portions
of the stream that offer the proper habitat. For example, if a certain stonefly hatch is shown on a
river that is thirty miles long, don’t expect to find them at the lower end of the river in pools of
slow moving water unsuitable for stoneflies. Also, you should be aware that hatches could
progress upstream from day to day, especially on those steams with steep declinations, so they
may occur at different sections of water from day to day.
Weather Variations:
Remember that seasonal weather conditions can change the dates that hatches actually occur
from the predicted time periods the charts indicate. An unusually cold year may delay a hatch a
week or two, in some cases, even longer. However, the sequence in which the different specie
hatch will generally occur in the same order.
Preparation:
Prior to fishing any given stream, you should make a list of the insects and other trout food
shown on the hatch guides along with the recommended flies that imitate them for the time period
you intend to fish. Make some allowances for the indicated time period, just in case. In other
words, if a certain insect is shown to start hatching on March 1 and you are fishing February
26th, list it.
Pre-Hatch Importance:
Do not forget that the charts show the predicted “hatch” dates. Normally, the nymph or larvae,
and pupa stages of the insects are available for trout to eat well in advance to those dates. In
fact, in many cases, depending on the particular species, the insects are much more important to
the angler prior to the hatch than they are after the hatch occurs.
Recommended Flies:
For each insect or trout food item, we recommend two flies. The first flies we recommend are
those that can be purchased commercially which are flies that we have found to be common and
available at most fly shops and outfitters. There may be a more exact imitation than the one we
recommend but not readily available on a wide scale basis. We are not implying that our
recommendations are always the best flies, although they may well be. We are implying only that
they are normally adequate imitations that can be easily acquired.
Perfect Flies:
The “Perfect Flies” we are recommending, for those that tie flies, are our own patterns. By
“perfect fly”, we simply mean one that catches fish. The name “Perfect Fly” is not meant to imply
that they are perfect in reality. The patterns are usually, as most patterns are, modifications of
other very successful patterns but in many cases, with colors and materials that more accurately
imitate the natural.
Fly Color:
Since the color of insects sometimes vary from stream to stream, you should always try to verify
the match as best you can by comparing your fly with the natural found on the stream. You will
notice that our patterns generally fall somewhere in between very realistic imitations and
impressionistic imitations. By realistic, we do not mean to imply that every leg, eye, and detail is
imitated to perfection, only that they resemble the natural.
Difficulty in Tying and Fishing:
The Perfect Fly patterns are not necessarily the easiest flies to tie and in some cases, they may
not be as durable as other flies. Some patterns, especially those utilizing CDC feathers, are
designed to be presented in smooth flowing water where the insects are most likely to be found
and should not be presented in rough, turbulent water. If you are having problems with the fly
floating correctly or seeing it well, it may be that you are fishing it incorrectly or in the wrong
types of water.
The “Digital Hatch Guide” series was designed to make it easy and convenient for you to
determine which aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, baitfish and other natural foods are
most likely available for trout to eat on the major trout waters in the United States at any time of
the season. Most importantly, it tells you the flies you need to imitate these naturals.
The Right Bug:
In order that you can easily locate any insect or other trout food shown on the hatch guides in the
optional “Trout Food” or “The Perfect Fly” series, we have cross-referenced every fly
recommended with an alphanumeric identifier. For example, a M106D, is the alphanumeric
designation for a particular blue-winged olive dun. This helps avoid the uncertainty that can
sometimes occur when only the common names of insects and flies are used. Often the same
specie of insect has several common names and often, the same common name is sometimes
used to refer to several other specie of insects. The scientific names, if you prefer to use them,
also properly identify each insect, but the alphanumeric designation makes it simple.
Two Types of Flies:
In all cases, both a specific and non-specific pattern is recommended for each stage of life for
each insect or other trout food listed on the hatch guide. The recommended non-specific flies
give you the option of using flies that can be obtained from fly shops and commercial tiers and
the specific flies are our “Perfect Fly” patterns that you may prefer to tie. The recommended non-
specific fly patterns that are tied and sold commercially are identified by their commonly used
name, an “Adams”, for example, in addition to the alphanumeric identifier. The specific patterns
recommended, which are not commercially available but provided for those that tie their own
flies, are also cross- referenced by the alphanumeric identifiers for the insects that they were
designed to imitate. The step-by-step procedures for tying these patterns are provided in the
optional “Perfect Fly” series.
How the Programs Work Together:
Cross-referencing permits you to easily locate any insect or other food shown on the hatch
guides on either the optional “Trout Food” or the “Perfect Fly” series of DVDs. Remember, the
“Digital Hatch Guides” tell you what food is most likely available for the trout to eat and which
flies you need to imitate that food. The “Trout Food” series tells you the things you need to know
about the natural food and how to present flies to imitate it. The “The Perfect Fly” series shows,
those that prefer, how to tie the recommended flies.
Stages of the Hatch:
The alphanumeric identifiers are simple. Flies are recommended for each insect at each
applicable stage of life. The first letter, M for example, indicates a mayfly. The number following
the first letter identifies the specie. 101, indicates Beatis tricaudatus, for example. The next letter,
E for example, indicates an emerging imitation of the Beatis tricaudatus. If another small letter
follows, such as Et, it indicates a variation of that stage. In this case "t" indicates a trailing shuck,
for example. On the main menu, you will find a complete list of designations used by the
alphanumeric system.
Seasons:
Please note that the digital hatch guides do not take fishing seasons or any regulations into
consideration because they are subject to change from year to year, state to state, and even
stream to stream. Generally, the charts indicate activity that starts prior to and extends beyond
local fishing seasons. In some cases hatches are shown for the entire year, usually where fishing is
permitted year-round. The digital hatch guides do not represent fishing seasons.
Concentrations:
Although our optional programs that are recommended prerequisites explain the use of hatch
charts in detail, we want emphasize that on any given stream there may be hundreds of different
species of aquatic insects that exist in some quantity. Some specie may occur only in certain
isolated areas of the stream. We are listing what we believe are the most prevalent and important
hatches that anglers should be concerned with. Although the density of any hatch can vary
drastically, the hatches are noted as ”dense, normal or sparse” in order that you have a better
idea of what to expect.
Stream Habitat:
The specie we list are usually not concentrated throughout the entire stream, only in the portions
of the stream that offer the proper habitat. For example, if a certain stonefly hatch is shown on a
river that is thirty miles long, don’t expect to find them at the lower end of the river in pools of
slow moving water unsuitable for stoneflies. Also, you should be aware that hatches could
progress upstream from day to day, especially on those steams with steep declinations, so they
may occur at different sections of water from day to day.
Weather Variations:
Remember that seasonal weather conditions can change the dates that hatches actually occur
from the predicted time periods the charts indicate. An unusually cold year may delay a hatch a
week or two, in some cases, even longer. However, the sequence in which the different specie
hatch will generally occur in the same order.
Preparation:
Prior to fishing any given stream, you should make a list of the insects and other trout food
shown on the hatch guides along with the recommended flies that imitate them for the time period
you intend to fish. Make some allowances for the indicated time period, just in case. In other
words, if a certain insect is shown to start hatching on March 1 and you are fishing February
26th, list it.
Pre-Hatch Importance:
Do not forget that the charts show the predicted “hatch” dates. Normally, the nymph or larvae,
and pupa stages of the insects are available for trout to eat well in advance to those dates. In
fact, in many cases, depending on the particular species, the insects are much more important to
the angler prior to the hatch than they are after the hatch occurs.
Recommended Flies:
For each insect or trout food item, we recommend two flies. The first flies we recommend are
those that can be purchased commercially which are flies that we have found to be common and
available at most fly shops and outfitters. There may be a more exact imitation than the one we
recommend but not readily available on a wide scale basis. We are not implying that our
recommendations are always the best flies, although they may well be. We are implying only that
they are normally adequate imitations that can be easily acquired.
Perfect Flies:
The “Perfect Flies” we are recommending, for those that tie flies, are our own patterns. By
“perfect fly”, we simply mean one that catches fish. The name “Perfect Fly” is not meant to imply
that they are perfect in reality. The patterns are usually, as most patterns are, modifications of
other very successful patterns but in many cases, with colors and materials that more accurately
imitate the natural.
Fly Color:
Since the color of insects sometimes vary from stream to stream, you should always try to verify
the match as best you can by comparing your fly with the natural found on the stream. You will
notice that our patterns generally fall somewhere in between very realistic imitations and
impressionistic imitations. By realistic, we do not mean to imply that every leg, eye, and detail is
imitated to perfection, only that they resemble the natural.
Difficulty in Tying and Fishing:
The Perfect Fly patterns are not necessarily the easiest flies to tie and in some cases, they may
not be as durable as other flies. Some patterns, especially those utilizing CDC feathers, are
designed to be presented in smooth flowing water where the insects are most likely to be found
and should not be presented in rough, turbulent water. If you are having problems with the fly
floating correctly or seeing it well, it may be that you are fishing it incorrectly or in the wrong
types of water.
Copyright 2005 James Marsh, All Rights Reserved
Recommended Prerequisites: Fly Fishing Getting
Started, Knots and Rigging Technique, The Perfect
Cast, Perfect Presentation & the Understanding
Trout series.
Started, Knots and Rigging Technique, The Perfect
Cast, Perfect Presentation & the Understanding
Trout series.
| Fly Fishing DVD |
Get Your Ph.D. in Fly-Fishing Right Here!
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
