Hello, first post on this forum but been have reading the threads for a while. Lots of traffic on this site and some of the fishery lakes I have tried get mentioned so I've found it all very useful. I've been sea fishing for years but got into fly fishing this summer. Had a full days instruction and have been out a few times on my own, trout catch total almost into double figures.

The question: Can somebody recommend a good book on flies. Something that covers the various types of flies and what insect life they mimic. I'm not tying my own flies so I don't need one with pages and step-by-step pics but something with lots of images that I can flick through when reading catch and fishery reports. Being new to fly fishing I find all the names and categories the daunting bit.

Thanks in advance for any help.

it has to be Matching the Hatch by Pat O'Reilly,top book for what you want.

Del

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"In lime we have Natures purifier,its benefits is well known in Agriculture.It is time its value was better understood in Pisciculture too "

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Second that - great book for the purpose.
GD

Thanks for the speedy replies Gents. I'll look it up this weekend.

thats the book i have i bought it from borders

Matching The Hatch is a really comprehensive book. I remember reading it with fascination... the lavishly colourful pictures combined with precise and informative text, referenced across to the relevant patterns to match each little entymological specimen. Then, you get to the back of the book where Pat says something which basically boils down to this:

"Of course, if you're a lazy git and can't be 4rsed to carry a shed load of obscure patterns around with you, then just stick with the famous five/magnificent seven or whatever, which will cover all eventualities" ...and they do too

Great book, really.

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"A homeward tramp thro' mist wrapped night,
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Complete content, the day has brought it,
They fished for pleasure - and they caught it"

P F Morgan
taken from the catch record book at Llanthony Hotel, Honddu Valley, Aug 1942

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John Goddard's 'Waterside Reference' is my choice, clear, concise and small enough to be carried whilst fishing.

Another vote from me took out alot of the nonsense of choosing from 1000's of flies for me

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

going by this forum war and peace sounds good

Gets my vote too.

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