Came across this blog today. I don’t ever try to match the hatch (except for hoppers) but this might be a very interesting series.
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+1 on the hoppers, Green Drakes and Damsel nymphs too! Thanks for the link.
In my 44 years of (western) fly fishing I’ve read a few books; Hughes’ Western Streamside Guide" and Hafele’s & Hughes’ "Complete Book of Western Hatches, Cutter’s “Fish Food”… but generally haven’t placed a great deal of emphasis on specifically “matching the hatch”. I found size, color, and shape (in that order) to be a pretty effective rule of thumb for freshwater; especially rivers where it’s eat fast or miss out, and even saltwater. Now even more so for Tenkara.
If the Backyard Hatches Series vids are as concise and clear as the trailer, I just may be able to get my pea brain around them so I can really understand what’s being presented.
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Brian, exactly. Often when I get off a stream I’m asked what I saw for bugs. I don’t really see them so I’m hoping to learn something from this series.
I agree. I have been dragging my heels about learning more about what I see on the water.
Knowimg a bit more might help correlate and focus approach with specific events.
I tend to rotate through my bag of trcks until something works. Understanding more may align tactics with what is actively happening in front of me.
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On thing that i rarely see discussed and never deeply is the utility of a traditional tamo. Most of which have very fine nets. 2-2.5 mmm, that can be used to seine for insect life drifting down the river.
If you google videos…seining for fyfishing you can see a number of videos on the topic.
Most of the time fish are feeding and i cant see what they are eating. On a couple of occasions i have tried to use my tamo this way, but have not been able to identify and leverage off any info.
Does anyone have details om tamo nets and utility in this purpose?
I suppose depending on the critter certain motion to imitate might be derrived.
I have two sizes of “Quick Seine” bug nets that strap onto the top of handle of my “Measure Nets” that can be quickly deployed to stretch over the hoop. (only the smaller size is available now) I really like that they are “right there” to instantly deploy and quickly stowed to be “right there” again.
Here’s a couple more of a different style from Amazon that need to be packed away.
https://www.amazon.com/Seine-Net-Fly-Fishing-Retractor/dp/B07LGGPKJR
Amazon.com: Fort Collins Flyworks The River Seine- Fly Fishing Seine - Fits Over Landing Net
I can identify mayfly, caddis, and stonefly larvae in streams. To me stones look similar to, but are usually larger and look more like something out of a 50s mutant monster movie compared to mayfly larvae. In stillwater I can identify chironomid and Damsel larvae, and scuds.
I can identify caddis, mayfly, and stonefly adults. I’m not very good at identifying sub-species except for Green Drake adults; they’re obvious, but I seldom snare adults in a seine. In stillwater I can also identify Water Boatman, Damsel, and Dragon adults.
But anyway, if I manage to get some larvae in my seine, even if I can’t identify their species and sub-species, I can see their size, color, and shape. Same with adults. That can help a lot.
However I am usually fishing for native Coastal Cutthroat in small to mid-sized lower elevation streams on the west side of the Cascade Mountain Range. From dinks to around 10" they are usually very eager to fatten up enough to challenge the big dogs for the best lies so they willingly take flies that are similar in size and color of the naturals they’re seeing. My buddy calls them “honest fish”. The larger fish are a bit more wary but generally still aggressive feeders. Wild Rainbows and Brookies in the western Cascades and native Westslope Cutthroat in the Cascades’ east side’s higher and relatively sterile streams are also aggressive. These are all ideal Tenkara fish!
But similar to reading music so I can communicate more effectively with other musicians, I’d like to identify bugs and other “fish food” down to their sub-species to speak more coherently with other anglers.
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One of those large mesh produce storage bags might do the same thing. Worth a try if you happen to have some laying about in your kitchen.
Typical prices $11 for set of 12 bag. The set includes 5 pcs small (12"x8"), 4pcs medium (12"x14") and 3pcs large (12"x17").
Amazon SPLF 12 Pcs Heavy Duty Reusable Mesh Produce Bags
Or make your own, custom fit to your net frame. Local fabric store may have the mesh fabric, if the store is open.
Amazon Ben Textiles Power Mesh White Fabric By The Yard
https://beginnersewingprojects.com/hanging-mesh-produce-bags-storage/
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