THE RIGHT FLY: AN ANGLER'S GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING AND MATCHING NATURAL INSECTS. By Stephen J. Simpson and George C. McGavin.

(1996) 2002 paperback edn. Slim 8vo paperback (121 x 212mm). Pp192. Colour photographs throughout, identification keys, brief bibliography.

"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 pondered what to do next [this book] offers advice that is above all practical and applicable anywhere in the world." Chapter 5, Fishing Decisions gives a two-page flow-chart of the questions to ask and the observations to make in order to arrive at a rational course of action, with a detailed discussion of each question / observation occupying the remainder of the chapter. Part II, The Angler's Identifier presents "all the common orders of insects (and other prey species) ...described and illlustrated with outstanding colour photographs which show insects not 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." Chapters include: Part I, The Trout and it's Prey: Identifying animals the easy way (and, why bother?); How to use this book; The principles of trout feeding behaviour; Equipment for discovering the trout's prey; Fishing decisions; Identifying things caught or seen; Introduction to the insect prey; How to create and use the artificial flies. Part II, The Angler's Identifier: Mayflies; Dragonflies and damselflies; Stoneflies; Grasshoppers and crickets; Bugs; Alderflies, dobsonflies, and fishflies; Beetles; True flies; Caddisflies; Moths and butterflies; Sawflies, wasps, ants, bees; Crayfish, shrimps, waterlice, etc; Miscellaneous organisms. An appendix gives "suggested reading, associations, and stockists."