determining flys

[FishBrain]

hey guys/gals, I have been talked into learning to fly fish this year by my bro, and I was wondering how do you determine what flys to use when in the season? is there a site that tells you what is hatching when and where? whats best at which location?
Thanks

[Scott N]

I'm not aware of any websites with hatch info, but there are a lot of good books out there with info on what flies to fish at what time of year. Two that I have that have some good local Alberta info are The Blue Ribbon Bow by Jim McLennan, and The Essential Guide to Fly-Fishing, by Clive Schaupmeyer. Both are very good books and have a lot of information about fishing different water, flies to use, time of year, etc. I bought both these books at Wholesale Sports.

[Pierre]

Not sure if you want stream or lake hatch charts, but for stillwaters you can go to Phil Rowley's site.

http://www.flycraftangling.com/entomology_diet.html

[FishBrain]

thank you, I will get after those books.
I am looking for info on lake and stream, not sure where he wants to go but I am sure JTS1 (do you read me??) will be in on it.

[Scott N]

Another good book more specific to lakes is Morris & Chan on Fly Fishing Trout Lakes by Skip Morris and Brian Chan. It also has a lot of good information on hatches, what time of the year they happen, and what / how flies to use. It has some good photography in it.

[AlbertaAngler]

If you google the river you are interested in with hatch chart sometimes you can find some information. Like this for the Crowsnest River for instance

http://www.crowsnestangler.com/mainpanel.php?option_sidebar=angling&option_angling=angling4&PHPSESSID=5447a257774689c2f3dddeaedcea543

Also the Canadian FlyFisher magazine has had a supplement in the spring issue with hatches from coast to coast

http://www.canflyfish.com/2009/canadianhatches.asp

Good luck and have fun

[troller]

In the same situation as you, thanks for the other links guys. I also found this one? Is it very good?

http://www.armanglers.com/charts.php

[kidd]

Figuring out the name of the fly to use isnt the whole battle.
Its figuring our which flies in my box are which! I wish I would have started a labeling system long ago:rolleye2:
kidd

[FishBrain]

Figuring out the name of the fly to use isnt the whole battle.
Its figuring our which flies in my box are which! I wish I would have started a labeling system long ago:rolleye2:
kidd

OH HEY, now theres a working brain. first thing I am going to do!!!

[Russ C]

To tell what flies you have in your fly box just take them into any fly shop. They can help you to identify your flies. Or if when fishing and you come across another angler explain your situation and most anglers would be happy to let you know what you have. Most fly shops will let you know what's working on the rivers on any given day. As well most have web sites that will let you know the same information.

Russ C