[quote author=AaronJasper link=topic=3253.msg27608#msg27608 date=1255110327]
"Matching the Hatch" has many merits. When trout are feeding selectively (keying in on one insect), it is a must. I will not say that it is not the right way to go about dry fly fishing 100 percent of the time. As we know there are so many variables that no technique works 100 percent of the time. However, a "match the hatch" angler is going to out fish the person who is fishing more impressionistic flies more often than not. There are times when it pays to think impressionistic or non hatch matching. One time that comes to mind is on the Delaware, when the trout are keying in on the tiny bwos. Usually with this hatch there are isonychia hatching. Fishing an isonychia pattern, which can be presented with less drag over conflicting currents than the smaller size 22-24 olive dries, will yield more fish even though the trout are keying in on the smaller flies. I have seen many a selective feeder take the opportunity to consume the larger isonychia.

So the answer in my opinion is that "match the hatch" is indeed fact the majority of time when presenting surface fly patterns to surface feeding fish. Now dry/dropper and dries that are used as "searching patterns" are a totally different topic due to the fact that they are designed to elicit a certain response from a fish and that is to bring them to the surface to feed on your offerings, and these qualities are no often found in the flies that are used to match the hatch.
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Aaron ... your example above, at least in my book, is matching the hatch. The ISOs are around enough to be on the menu as well as the tiny BWOs. So by fishing the ISO you are matching the hatch. You also said something really really smart (Which I'm not surprized as you are a smart guy!) The larger ISO will give the angler a better chance as it won't drag as much. I have seen this on the Delaware time and time again. BTW... congrats on the new boat. I suspect we will see you more on the Delaware... Be careful... it's made more dry fly guys outta fisherman than any other river! :P