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The Bug Book: A Fly Fisher's Guide to Trout Stream Insects
Complete guide to aquatic entomology for fly fishers, covering all the important insects and their imitations for the entire United States. Hatch charts, fly pattern recommendations, and important fishing strategies from Paul Weamer. This is the ideal reference for those just starting out or for those that want to have a more comprehensive view of the important insects.
Understanding aquatic insect hatches is like being able to cast an entire fly line. Do you need to cast that far to catch fish? Of course not. But will being able to cast a long distance inhibit your ability to catch fish? Never. Knowing where, and how, insects live and emerge gives anglers yet another piece of the puzzle. I've never heard a fly fisherman exclaim, “I probably would have caught those rising fish if I just didn't know so much about trout stream insects.”
You still need to cast. You still need to present flies in such a manner that fish will accept them. But though no one has ever failed to catch a trout because they knew too much about aquatic insects, plenty of anglers have not caught as big a fish, or as many fish as they could have caught, because they failed to understand the importance of matching a hatch. This is particularly true when fishing for large, wild, selective trout―the ones we all really want to catch.
In this book, I try to relieve some of the reticence about trout stream insects that makes many anglers feel inadequate and uneasy. Many excellent books provide very detailed information about specific hatches. But that's not this book's goal. This book is written for new anglers who want a basic understanding of aquatic insects or more seasoned fly fishers who want to take their skills to the next level; those who want to know not only if their flies will work but why they'll work as well. I remember when I was first learning to fly fish, and I read about complicated Latin names or confusing stages of aquatic insect development. I was lost. It was as if the whole fly fishing world was born knowing about these things, and I was left out. This book's aim is to provide basic aquatic insect knowledge that will not only help you to understand more about trout stream insects, but it will also help you catch more trout on your next fishing trip. It will help you to understand why you should tie one fly to your leader rather than another to imitate the hatches you encounter.
Understanding aquatic insect hatches is like being able to cast an entire fly line. Do you need to cast that far to catch fish? Of course not. But will being able to cast a long distance inhibit your ability to catch fish? Never. Knowing where, and how, insects live and emerge gives anglers yet another piece of the puzzle. I've never heard a fly fisherman exclaim, “I probably would have caught those rising fish if I just didn't know so much about trout stream insects.”
You still need to cast. You still need to present flies in such a manner that fish will accept them. But though no one has ever failed to catch a trout because they knew too much about aquatic insects, plenty of anglers have not caught as big a fish, or as many fish as they could have caught, because they failed to understand the importance of matching a hatch. This is particularly true when fishing for large, wild, selective trout―the ones we all really want to catch.
In this book, I try to relieve some of the reticence about trout stream insects that makes many anglers feel inadequate and uneasy. Many excellent books provide very detailed information about specific hatches. But that's not this book's goal. This book is written for new anglers who want a basic understanding of aquatic insects or more seasoned fly fishers who want to take their skills to the next level; those who want to know not only if their flies will work but why they'll work as well. I remember when I was first learning to fly fish, and I read about complicated Latin names or confusing stages of aquatic insect development. I was lost. It was as if the whole fly fishing world was born knowing about these things, and I was left out. This book's aim is to provide basic aquatic insect knowledge that will not only help you to understand more about trout stream insects, but it will also help you catch more trout on your next fishing trip. It will help you to understand why you should tie one fly to your leader rather than another to imitate the hatches you encounter.
- GenresNature
118 pages, Hardcover
First published July 27, 2015
330 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 10, 2019
This dude is the Ryan Leaf of authors.... all the right approach and tools but not enough self control and lacking a better editor (or coach, whatever continues my subpar analogy).
Good info, well laid out, omg isn’t that a great point, interesting *UNRESTRAINED DRY FLY FISHING BLUSTER & PRETENSION*, oh nice photo.
Somebody save this dude from himself. You’re telling me the high stakes world of fly fishing writing we can’t get a ghost writer?? Or an editor. I don’t know what editors do but I’m guessing they should have inserted themselves a wee bit more on this one.
4.5, taken to a 3. By occasional pomposity. East coasters will particularly enjoy.
Good info, well laid out, omg isn’t that a great point, interesting *UNRESTRAINED DRY FLY FISHING BLUSTER & PRETENSION*, oh nice photo.
Somebody save this dude from himself. You’re telling me the high stakes world of fly fishing writing we can’t get a ghost writer?? Or an editor. I don’t know what editors do but I’m guessing they should have inserted themselves a wee bit more on this one.
4.5, taken to a 3. By occasional pomposity. East coasters will particularly enjoy.
February 12, 2023
The Bug Book is a great resource for fly fishers looking to maximize their success on the water by better understanding the insects (and other critters) they're imitating as they chase trout. It's also a pretty interesting entomology book in its own right, even if you are not a hardcore fly fisher.
This book does a good job of providing high-level information on these species and the flies that imitate them, though it very often did not go as deep as I'd like. I still had many questions about lifecycles, behaviors, and other aspects of river entomology by the time I finished. I understand that the author did not want to overwhelm readers and sought to make the book as accessible as possible, but I think it could have been twice the length that it was without veering into the realm of being unhelpful. I was surprised when it abruptly ended.
Maybe more importantly, the book is absolutely stuffed with typos, editing errors, and strange grammatical issues. I am willing to forgive some mistakes here and there, but we're talking about dozens of errors that threatened to become distractions in an otherwise decent book. The author has a ton of great knowledge to share. I really hope he finds a better editor for the next edition.
This book does a good job of providing high-level information on these species and the flies that imitate them, though it very often did not go as deep as I'd like. I still had many questions about lifecycles, behaviors, and other aspects of river entomology by the time I finished. I understand that the author did not want to overwhelm readers and sought to make the book as accessible as possible, but I think it could have been twice the length that it was without veering into the realm of being unhelpful. I was surprised when it abruptly ended.
Maybe more importantly, the book is absolutely stuffed with typos, editing errors, and strange grammatical issues. I am willing to forgive some mistakes here and there, but we're talking about dozens of errors that threatened to become distractions in an otherwise decent book. The author has a ton of great knowledge to share. I really hope he finds a better editor for the next edition.
October 21, 2018
Excellent pocket pal
The book is suggested with a 5-star rating simply because it works. Having this book on your phone as a Kindle or other digital book, IS SMART. Instant information when and where you need it. Use the technology and make it your well-heeled assistant. The Bug Book offers excellent visuals and useful background information: just technical enough to add value, but not so much to the confusing: of the insects one encounters when fishing for trout as well as many warm water species. Good tips and vital information make it a worthwhile purchase. Get it and enjoy it.
The book is suggested with a 5-star rating simply because it works. Having this book on your phone as a Kindle or other digital book, IS SMART. Instant information when and where you need it. Use the technology and make it your well-heeled assistant. The Bug Book offers excellent visuals and useful background information: just technical enough to add value, but not so much to the confusing: of the insects one encounters when fishing for trout as well as many warm water species. Good tips and vital information make it a worthwhile purchase. Get it and enjoy it.
November 14, 2025
This book is a good introduction to entomology as it relates to the fly fisher. For those who have little to no knowledge of aquatic insects this is a great starting point as it’s short, digestible, and free of too much confusing scientific language. It’s not the most exciting and could use a little bit more information on how to take advantage of hatches, as well as a general calendar outlining the basic progression of hatches throughout the US. I do recommend this book as it was certainly helpful for me.
May 23, 2017
WOW
I wasn't expecting this book to amount to much when I bought it; however, 2 pages in and I was hooked. The amount of detail used to indicate hatches was not preliminary, but at the same time it made for an easy and enjoyable read. This will be a continual resource for fly-tying and fly-fishing!
I wasn't expecting this book to amount to much when I bought it; however, 2 pages in and I was hooked. The amount of detail used to indicate hatches was not preliminary, but at the same time it made for an easy and enjoyable read. This will be a continual resource for fly-tying and fly-fishing!
April 6, 2019
Great basic bug book.
I enjoyed this book and it's basic, logical approach to fly fishing's study of a bugs life. Not so detail to become dry and boring. Just the right foundational stuff to build on. It's really hard to find this type of guide focused on streams and hatches of the southeast.
I enjoyed this book and it's basic, logical approach to fly fishing's study of a bugs life. Not so detail to become dry and boring. Just the right foundational stuff to build on. It's really hard to find this type of guide focused on streams and hatches of the southeast.
February 18, 2021
A Trout's Natural Buffet
Paul helps the fly fisherman understand the complexity of choosing the best flies to try on any given water body on any given day. His entomological background is key to his suggestions. I am a novice fly fisherman and fly tier, and I plan to reference this book often.
Paul helps the fly fisherman understand the complexity of choosing the best flies to try on any given water body on any given day. His entomological background is key to his suggestions. I am a novice fly fisherman and fly tier, and I plan to reference this book often.
February 7, 2022
pretty good run through on insects important to fly fishing, leaving out midges, which are pretty important. Did mention phenology -- the fascinating correlation of plants and animals -- in this case of flowers blooming and insect hatching -- so as to pick flies to fish with to be more successful.
June 6, 2025
Handy Ebook Read On Bugs that Feed Trout but Weak on How tto Tye Them
The Bug Bookhas great pictures from underwater showing how a trout might see its food. However, the book is weak on explaining how to tie their immitation. If one wants to actually tie the immitations, It is suggested that a good book is "Fly Tying for Beginners" by Peter Gatherpole.
The Bug Bookhas great pictures from underwater showing how a trout might see its food. However, the book is weak on explaining how to tie their immitation. If one wants to actually tie the immitations, It is suggested that a good book is "Fly Tying for Beginners" by Peter Gatherpole.
November 25, 2018
Few books in my catalog receive five stars. Excellent photography, description, and application of the material presented make this a must read for all fly fisher from novice to expert. We can all learn a little something from Paul Weamer.
August 25, 2019
Nice job
Although it would have been nice if this level of expertise had been a bit more focused on the west, still, it is an impressive body of work. Especially with the strong emphasis on the fishing of the variety of bugs discussed. Well worth the small price of admission.
Although it would have been nice if this level of expertise had been a bit more focused on the west, still, it is an impressive body of work. Especially with the strong emphasis on the fishing of the variety of bugs discussed. Well worth the small price of admission.
September 28, 2021
A must--read for fly fishers to better understand the flies we use
An interesting and easy-to-read guide to better understand the fly patterns we use. The descriptions of insect families and their life cycles will enhance your fly fishing experience.
An interesting and easy-to-read guide to better understand the fly patterns we use. The descriptions of insect families and their life cycles will enhance your fly fishing experience.
April 27, 2018
This book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do - providing basic aquatic insect knowledge that will help you understand trout stream insects.
October 8, 2019
Great pictures of water insects
I got this book because I wanted to identify water insects. It is a great guide with beautiful pictures making identification easy.
I got this book because I wanted to identify water insects. It is a great guide with beautiful pictures making identification easy.
April 11, 2021
A great read for any flyfisherman.
April 15, 2021
Everyone who is interesting in fly fishing, rivers, or bugs should read this.
July 29, 2023
I found that he focused more on east coast but still found the book helpful
August 15, 2025
Great book for fly fishermen who want to “match the hatch.”
September 16, 2019
.
Nice book it has some great information about how and why fish do what they do and g8ves some insight into catching them.
Nice book it has some great information about how and why fish do what they do and g8ves some insight into catching them.
February 28, 2017
Great book if you want to learn about fly fishing and the actual insects/flies you will need to I.D. to catch a few troutch, so you're not a big grouch.
Tons of useful information for a novice fly fisherman (me). In depth but understandable explanations on entomology, phenology, different types of streams, and insect names (both scientific, and nicknames by region).
Well done Paul Weamer.
Tons of useful information for a novice fly fisherman (me). In depth but understandable explanations on entomology, phenology, different types of streams, and insect names (both scientific, and nicknames by region).
Well done Paul Weamer.
August 28, 2016
Ostensibly a book for the novice the advanced fly fisherman will also find this an important reference on hatches, entomology and fly patterns. This is one of the few books to explain the differences between Eastern and Western hatches which can have the same common names but refer to different species. For instance, the Green Drake of New York and Pennsylvania streams refers to the species Ephemera guttulata while in the Northern Rockies it refers to species of the Drunella genus. But this example leads me to one of my only quibbles found on p. 86. The Western Green Drake is stated to be a two-tailed mayfly while the adjacent picture shows an insect with three tails. Other fly fishing entomologies like “Fishing Yellowstone Hatches” by Juracek and Mathews (1992) describe the Drunella genus as three-tailed. Beyond this issue this is a fine book. It is thin and full of excellent photographs of bugs and flies.
March 30, 2016
A very technical but informative and helpful read.
A very precise,through and clear description of the local and Latin names of the favorite insects that lives in the waters we fly fish in our USA. It would have been a bonus if he would have included the recipe for the patterns of his favorite and productive flies.
A very precise,through and clear description of the local and Latin names of the favorite insects that lives in the waters we fly fish in our USA. It would have been a bonus if he would have included the recipe for the patterns of his favorite and productive flies.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews