The Art of Matching the Hatch

Understanding what trout are eating and how to imitate it.

It was mid-June on a spring creek in Montana. Trout were rising steadily in a long, slow pool. I could see mayflies spinning over the water, dropping eggs, and fish feeding methodically.

But my flies weren’t working. I tried everything in my box - Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Royal Wulff - nothing. The trout ignored every offering.

That’s when I learned the importance of really matching the hatch.

Reading the Rise

Before you even think about what fly to tie on, observe the fish:

Subtle Risers

• Barely dimple the surface
• Usually eating emergers just below the surface
• Try a soft hackle or unweighted nymph

Splashy Risers

• Aggressive takes
• Often chasing caddis or stoneflies
• Go with a more robust dry fly

Porpoising

• Back and dorsal fin break the surface
• Usually eating just below the surface
• Emergers or shallow nymphs

Jumping Fish

• Completely clearing the water
• May be chasing emergers or escaping something
• Sometimes won’t feed at all

Catching a Bug

The most direct way to match the hatch: catch one of the bugs the fish are eating.

Techniques

1. Seine the water: Run a small net through the drift
2. Look at streamside rocks: Turn over rocks in riffles
3. Check spider webs: They often catch flying insects
4. Watch the air: What’s flying over the water?

What to Look For

• Size: Most important factor
• Color: Secondary, but still important
• Shape: Upright wings? Flat wings? Long tails?
• Behavior: Fluttering? Riding the surface? Diving?

The Simple System

You don’t need to know every insect. Start with these basics:

Mayflies (Upright wings)

Large (Size 8-12):

• March Browns (spring)
• Green Drakes (early summer)
• Brown Drakes (summer)

Medium (Size 12-16):

• Blue-winged Olives (spring and fall)
• Pale Morning Duns (summer)
• Hendricksons (spring)

Small (Size 16-24):

• Tricos (summer mornings)
• Blue-winged Olive spinners (evening)
• Midges (winter, calm days)

Caddis (Tent-shaped wings)

Sizes 12-18:

• Elk Hair Caddis (all-purpose)
• X-Caddis (emerging)
• Sparkle Pupa (deep)

Colors:

• Tan (most common)
• Olive
• Black
• Bright green

Stoneflies (Folded wings)

Salmonflies:

• Size 4-8
• Giant stoneflies
• Early summer

Golden Stones:

• Size 8-12
• Yellow/tan
• Summer

The Process

That day in Montana, here’s what I did:

1. Caught a flying insect: Scooped one out of the air
2. Examined it closely: Size 14, grayish-olive body, slate dun wings, spent wings laying flat
3. Checked my fly box: Size 14 Blue-winged Olive spinner pattern
4. Tied it on: 5X tippet, careful presentation
5. First cast: Fish rose confidently and ate it
6. Landed the fish: Beautiful 14-inch brown

Common Mistakes

Wrong Size:

• Too big: Fish refuse it
• Too small: Can’t see it, hard to hook
• Match size exactly if you can

Wrong Stage:

• Fish eating emergers: You’re fishing duns
• Fish eating spinners: You’re fishing duns
• Fish eating nymphs: You’re fishing dries

Poor Presentation:

• Perfect fly, drag = refusal
• Good drift, wrong fly = refusal
• Perfect fly, perfect drift = fish on

A Simple Selection

If you’re overwhelmed, keep it simple:

Dry Fly Box:

• Adams Parachute (12, 14, 16, 18)
• Elk Hair Caddis (12, 14, 16)
• Blue-winged Olive (14, 16, 18)
• Royal Wulff (10, 12)
• Griffith’s Gnat (18, 20, 22)

Nymph Box:

• Hare’s Ear (12, 14, 16)
• Pheasant Tail (14, 16, 18)
• Prince Nymph (12, 14)
• Copper John (14, 16, 18)
• Zebra Midge (18, 20, 22)

This selection covers 80% of situations.

Keep Learning

Matching the hatch is a lifelong pursuit:

• Take an entomology class
• Carry a bug seine
• Keep a fishing journal
• Ask other anglers
• Don’t be afraid to experiment

The Real Secret

Here’s what experienced anglers know: perfect matching isn’t always necessary.

Presentation matters more than pattern:

• Good drift with close-enough fly
• Beats perfect fly with drag

Confidence counts:

• Fish a fly you believe in
• Give it time to work
• Change if you’re certain it’s wrong

The Evolution

These days, I still don’t match every hatch perfectly. But I’ve learned:

• Size is critical
• Profile is important
• Color matters less than we think
• Drag kills more chances than wrong flies

That day in Montana taught me to really observe, to understand what’s happening, and to respond accordingly. But it also taught me that the learning never ends - and that’s part of the joy.

Every trip, every hatch, every fish is another lesson in this endless journey of learning.

Next time you’re on the water and the fish are rising but not eating your fly, take a breath. Observe. Catch a bug. Really look at what’s happening. The solution is usually right in front of you.