Ann Miller’s book, Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams is an excellent reference guide to the upper Midwest aquatic insects. There is a wealth of useful information in this book without getting too deep into aquatic entomology and insect anatomy. The paperback book measures only 6″ x 4″ x 3/4″. So, it is easy to carry with you and covers all the commonly found aquatic insects in the Upper Midwest trout streams.

Ann Miller, the author is an aquatic biologist and a fly fisher from lower Michigan. She has spent countless hours researching, observing, and studying the aquatic insects in the upper Midwest. Her book does an excellent job covering the lifecycle for the big three – mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, as well as other aquatic insects and crustaceans.

The book includes pages for each of the insect species that are commonly found in the upper Midwest trout streams that are important to fly fishermen. Each insect stage includes a photo, a brief description, emergence dates. and several recommended fly patterns. Since common bug names can be deceiving, she includes both the scientific name and the common name.

In the back of the book, she includes recipes for all the fly patterns shown in the book. Also, included is a glossary and hatch chart for mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. This is the best reference guide to Upper Midwest hatches for fly fishermen.

Ann did tell me in an email she is working on a new updated version of her wonderful book. I hope she does since the prices out there for her 2011 edition book are getting crazy expensive.