Match the hatch or general flies?
- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated Jun 5, 2007 at 2:28 pm by
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All the fly fishing magazines, books & fly shops talk about which fly to use to match the hatch.
I never really got to the stadium to tie & fish these flies because when I started tying some 15 years ago, all those hatches were American rivers & streams. I’m also too stubborn to believe that I need those patterns to catch fish… 😉My fishing is nymphing and I only have 3-4 general nymphs patterns (mayflies & caddis) which I fish 99% of the time. I fish these nymphs in all streams & rivers I have fished, both in Europe & US/Canada so far. Fish don’t seem to mind the general patterns.
Is all this matching-the-hatch made to sell books, flies & fly tying materials? I’m almost thinking it is… ::)
What’s your thought on this?
Jay
Man, I’m glad someone is broaching this subject!
I have always paid more attention to color and size rather than a particular fly “species”.
A great topic for the evening fire and a round of whiskey! ::)
A pet topic for me so I will try be brief
Would suggest anyone interested in this topic pick up a copy of Schwiebert’s _Matching the Hatch_. His book published in 1955 started the “matching the hatch” movement and the precise imitation school.
The matching the hatch philosophy was developed as an answer to fishing to selective trout during a hatch event. If you have never experienced selective trout, it is hard to understand how important the concept can be.
It is more important on some streams than others, but I would venture to say all trout waters can produce selective trout at times where the fish key in on naturals, or a stage of the naturals, to the exclusion of all else.
I see stocked rainbows regularly key in a some hatch events here on the White. It does not take them very long to learn what to eat. Fortunately for most anglers, those times are rather limited, but a person who has some skill with matching the hatch can find exceptional fishing during times that prove difficult for the casual angler.
If anyone is in the Tulsa area, I will be speaking on some aspect of this subject at the June 14th meeting of the TulsaFlyFishers.org. Would love to meet anyone from the board that can come.
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