The Right Fly: An Angler's Guide to Identifying and Matching Natural Insects

by George McGavin, Stephen J. Simpson

Once you have mastered this, you will then learn the art of selecting and presenting the appropriate artificial fly from a choice of over 120 fly patterns. This is a unique guide - written by professional bioligists with a passion for fly fishing - which provides a straightforward introduction to natural trout prey and their artificial imitations. The angler is led in a logical progression from observation of the trout's behaviour, the water and the weather conditions, and insect activity, to the choice of appropriate fly patterns. All the common orders of insects (and other prey species) are described and illustrated with outstanding colour photographs which show insects nor only in their adult phase but also in their nymphal and emergent stages. Accompanying the description of each insect order is a carefully chosen selection of imitative fly patterns, with details of dressings and hints on how to fish them naturally. For any angler who has found him- or herself surrounded by rising fish while contemplating the flybox in bewilderment, or encountered a lake apparently devoid of life and ponder what to do next. The Right Fly offers advice that is above all practical and applicable anywhere in the world.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 1996

About the author

George McGavin, a renowned entomologist, is an honorary research associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Department of Zoology of Oxford University. He has several insect species named in his honor. He lives in England.