Welcome to Volume 5 of “The Book Shelf”, a Big Sky Anglers original blog series dedicated to shining some new light on the works of the old masters.  In the spirit of the modern era, these pieces may be quick vignettes, half baked and composed at the last minute.  They may be poorly edited and rambling.  But they will hopefully inspire some of you to visit a library, a used bookstore, or the basement shelves at Big Sky Anglers, pick up an old fly fishing book, and soak up a bit of old knowledge and be inspired by words and images once, but no longer, forgotten. 

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It was, in part, Dave Whitlock’s unexpected passing in the Autumn of 2022 that inspired us to create “The Book Shelf” series of blog posts.  Our hope is that, through spreading the word about these great angler/authors to a new group of angler/readers that their memories and their knowledge will live on.  Dave Whitlock was so much more than a skilled angler.  A scientist by training, and a research chemist early on in his working life, Dave seemed to excel at everything he touched.  But, fortunately for us, his passion for the water, the fish, and fishing, drew him away from his chemistry job and into our lives.  By all accounts he was a better person than he was an angler, writer, fly designer, instructor, and artist.  His reach and impact in the fly fishing community is virtually unmatched.  More than a first ballot hall of famer, Dave’s likeness would undoubtedly be carved from granite if there were a Mount Rushmore of fly fishing.   We hope that this little review of just one of his many works inspires you to dig a little deeper into the writing, teaching, fly patterns, and art of the one and only Dave Whitlock.

First and foremost, Dave Whitlock’s Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods is a book that describes Dave’s theories and methods for catching trout through imitation of waterborne food sources.  Imitation is the key word here.  This book is not about attracting fish or triggering a strike through means that tap into trout’s natural curiosity or aggression.   This is an important distinction, and certainly one that has been discussed by numerous angling authors through the years.  Most notably, Gary Lafontaine explicitly laid out his Theory of Attraction and Theory of Imitation in The Dry Fly: New Angles, which was part of the first ever episode of “The Book Shelf”.  Uniquely, and in no uncertain terms, Dave postulates that many, if not most trout, are caught ACCIDENTALLY, by anglers thinking that they are imitating trout food.  Because these ANGLERS are using incorrectly tied flies and/or presenting them in unnatural ways, the subsequent nibbles are actually triggered out of curiosity or aggression rather than because the trout believes the fly to be an actual food item.  Chew on that for a bit!  Certainly, a fish has still been hooked, which is fun, but has the ultimate goal of “matching the hatch” been achieved? 

If indeed the goal is to trick a trout by imitating its natural food, then perhaps we should all reread this book.  But if we still catching fish without imitation, then who cares?  Dave is, once again, one step ahead of his students.  His reason for imitation is not necessarily because it catches more or bigger fish.   To paraphrase Dave (poorly), studying and understanding the trout and their food, their environment, biology, and ecology, is necessary for successful imitation, and the great byproduct of that study and understanding is a heightened level of enjoyment of time spent both on and off the water.

[dramatic pause]

I’m hooked.  Are you hooked?

Dave’s theories and concepts related to imitation are what forms the framework of the book.  Developed over decades of angling and observation of aquatic food items, he had designed flies that look like food and developed presentation strategies that make the flies act like food.  The goal being to trigger a feeding response from the trout, rather than an act of curiosity, aggression, playfulness or intrigue.  The ultimate trick.

Background chapters on water, trout habitat, trout biology, and feeding tendencies set the stage for the real meat of the book – a series of chapters dedicated to the biology and imitation of the primary categories of aquatic trout foods. 

Each chapter includes general information about the food items, including how to both identify them physically and recognize when they might be hatching or otherwise available to the trout.  Descriptions of trout food life cycles and the different types of creatures in each group lead seamlessly into lists of and recipes for Dave’s imitations for each.  It’s a perfect blend of aquatic entomology and fly tying creativity.  For you fly tiers out there, inspiration is in no short supply.  Since this book was released in 1992, there have been incredible advancements in tying materials – especially synthetics – which Dave was always a proponent of using to their fullest extent.  Adapting his patterns with modern materials while staying true to his theories of imitation is certainly a worthwhile endeavor.  For those who do not tie your own flies, there is still real value in understanding the food life cycles, and their form and function, as it will prove invaluable when selecting which flies to buy at the fly shop and when to tie them on.

Dave’s written words alone make his Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods worth reading, but it his unique and detailed illustrations gracing nearly ever page that truly make this book worth owning. Ranging from biologically accurate figures depicting insect and fish physiology and life cycles, to semi-whimsical scenes of excited trout attacking their prey, and detailed illustrations of his own fly designs, each graphic is worthy of an in-depth study.  It is Dave Whitlock’s magic and mastery of both art and science that make this book an undeniable masterpiece, most worthy of a spot on any anglers book shelf.