What's Match'n Catch?

Match’n’Catch – Realistic Flies That Catch Fish

Flies that imitate natural insects catch fish. It’s that simple. J:son’s Match’n’Catch concept makes fly selection easy – and your fly fishing more fun and successful.

What Is Match’n’Catch?

Match’n’Catch is built on a simple idea: → Match the right fly to what the fish is actually eating. → Increase your chances of catching it.

The key to success? J:son flies. They’re designed to imitate the insects fish feed on – in every stage of their life cycle.

🤔 Why the Fly Matters Most

It’s surprising how many fly fishers invest heavily in rods, reels and lines… …yet overlook the most important detail: the fly itself.

To succeed, you need basic knowledge of:

• What the fish eats

• When it eats

• How insect hatches work

The Hatch – A Life Cycle You Must Match

Every hatch begins at the bottom. To fish it effectively, you must imitate:

1. Nymph or Larva

2. Pupa

3. Emerger

4. Adult winged insect (Dun)

Matching these stages with the right flies in your box will dramatically improve your results.

🐛 Let’s Meet the Key Insects

We’ll now introduce a few of the most important aquatic insects for fly fishers – and show you how to imitate them with precision.

------------------------

THE MAYFLY – A Key Insect in Fly Fishing

Mayflies undergo an incomplete transformation – known as hemimetabolous development. They hatch from eggs into larvae (called nymphs), and then transform directly into winged insects at the water’s surface.

In Sweden, there are approximately 60 species of mayflies, and they are a vital food source for many fish species in every stage of their life cycle.

🎯 Why Mayflies Matter to Fly Fishers

• Found in streams, rivers, and lakes across Sweden

• Present from spring to autumn, with peak hatches in early summer

• Fish often become highly selective, feeding only on one stage of the hatch

• Few insects hatch in such large numbers and trigger such strong feeding behavior

🐣 The Life Cycle You Need to Imitate

To fish mayfly hatches successfully, you must imitate all key stages:

1. Nymph – the larval stage underwater

2. Emerger – the nymph breaking through the surface

3. Winged adult (Dun) – freshly hatched insect

4. Spent spinner – dead mayfly lying flat on the surface

→ Matching these stages with the right flies in your box will dramatically improve your chances.

🧠 Do You Need to Match Every Species?

No – many mayfly species look similar, and fish can’t tell them apart. Instead, focus on:

• Correct size

• Natural colors

• Realistic movement and silhouette

A good imitation is like choosing the right bike for the terrain: You wouldn’t walk into a shop looking for a racer and leave with a mountain bike. → The right fly matters just as much.

🪶 Spent Spinners – The Final Stage

After laying eggs, mayflies die and drift on the surface with wings spread flat. These are imitated with spent spinner patterns – essential during evening egg-laying periods.

Real Mayfly Nymph - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

 

Real Mayfly Emerger - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION
 

 

Real Mayfly Dun (winged insect) - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

Real Spent Mayfly - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

 

 

_______________

CADDISFLIES – One of Sweden’s Most Important Fly Fishing Insects

Caddisflies undergo holometabolous development, meaning a complete transformation: Egg → Larva → Pupa → Winged adult

Sweden is home to around 220 species across 19 families. Unlike mayflies, most caddis species look very similar, which means fly anglers and fly tyers don’t need to identify each species. Instead, focus on tying or selecting realistic imitations in a few key colors and sizes.

🎯 What Fly Anglers Should Focus On

You don’t need hundreds of patterns. A smart selection includes:

• A few natural colors (light brown, olive, black)

• A few sizes (to match local conditions)

• Imitations of:

  • Larvae

  • Pupae

  • Emergers

  • Winged adults

This streamlined approach improves your chances at the water – and we know it works at J:son.

🌍 Distribution and Importance

• Found in both flowing and still water

• Present across all of Sweden

• A primary food source for trout, grayling, and other species

Hatching and Egg-Laying Behavior

Caddisflies hatch in two main ways:

1. Freely at the water surface

2. By climbing onto stones or vegetation

Females often lay eggs by skimming rapidly across the surface, resembling tiny racing boats. → Fish your imitation quickly across the surface during this phase.

Some species lay eggs by:

• Diving underwater

• Climbing down reeds or rocks

• Depositing eggs on the bottom

🪱 Larval Types

Caddis larvae fall into three main categories:

1. Cased caddis: Build protective cases from gravel or plant material

2. Burrowers: Dig into the bottom and hide

3. Net spinners: Attach to rocks and spin silk nets to trap food

→ Fish larval imitations close to or directly on the bottom

🐛 Pupae and Dual-Fly Technique

Pupae rise through the water column before hatching. A highly effective method is to fish two flies together:

• Main fly: Winged caddis (dry fly)

• Anchor fly: Pupa or emerger

How to rig it:

1. Tie a short piece of tippet (20–40 cm) to the hook bend of the main fly

2. Use a standard bait knot

3. Attach the second fly to the end of the tippet

→ The dry fly acts as both an imitation and a strike indicator

 

Real Caddis Larva - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

 

Real Caddis Pupa - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

 

Real Caddis Adult - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION
_______________

THE MIDGE – Small but Essential in Fly Fishing

Midges belong to one of the largest families within the order Diptera. They undergo a complete transformation (holometabolous development): Egg → Larva → Pupa → Winged adult (Imago)

Unlike biting mosquitoes, midges lack a proboscis and cannot sting. They are harmless to humans – but crucial to fish.

🌍 Survivors of Nature

Midges are true ecological survivors:

• Found in freshwater, brackish water, and even saltwater

• Some tolerate drought, others survive extreme cold

• Many thrive in acidic or alkaline environments

In Sweden, over 500 species have been identified – and their abundance is massive.

🩸 Why Are Midge Larvae Often Red?

Midge larvae contain hemoglobin, allowing them to live in low-oxygen environments. → This gives many species their distinct red color – often referred to as bloodworms.

🎯 Why Fly Fishers Should Care

“Inexperienced anglers say: small and uninteresting. Experienced anglers say: small and absolutely essential.”

Here’s why:

• Size doesn’t matter to fish – availability does

• Midges hatch in huge numbers, often dominating the food supply

• Found in every type of waterway – from northern streams to coastal flats

• Fish eat them in abundance, and often become selective

Midge Imitations – Versatile and Effective

Midge patterns are excellent for imitating:

• All small aquatic insects

• Larvae, pupae, and adults

• General emergers and microflies

But precision matters:

• Avoid flies that are too thick, too long, or too bulky

• Fish can distinguish subtle differences – especially when selective

• A well-tied midge imitation can make all the difference

✅ Key Takeaways

• Midges are everywhere, and fish target them heavily

• They’re small, but never insignificant

• Matching size, silhouette, and movement is crucial

• A good midge fly is a must-have in every fly box

Real Midge - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

_______________

THE STONEFLY – Ancient Insect, Early Hatch

Stoneflies are among the oldest insect groups on Earth, and they primarily live in flowing water. They require high oxygen levels and are most often found near shorelines, where hatching occurs and adults rest among rocks and vegetation.

In Sweden, there are 7 families and 39 species of stoneflies.

🔄 Life Cycle – Incomplete Transformation

Stoneflies undergo hemimetabolous development (incomplete transformation): Egg → Larva (Nymph) → Winged Adult (Imago)

Key features:

• Larvae resemble mayfly nymphs but lack long tail spines

• Instead, they have two short, thick spines on either side of the body

• Adult wings are transparent and rest flat over the body

🎵 Substratum Music – Mating by Sound

Some stonefly species communicate through vibration during mating:

• Males and females produce drumming sounds with their hind bodies

• These vibrations travel through the substrate

• Each species has a distinct sound signature

→ This behavior is known as substratum music

🎣 Fly Fishing with Stonefly Imitations

Stoneflies are often overlooked by Swedish fly fishers, and here’s why:

• They rarely hatch in large numbers

• They are not a dominant food source for fish

• Dry fly fishing is only effective when females lay eggs

However, the larval stage is far more important:

• Larvae are available to fish year-round

• They hatch early in the season, sometimes climbing up ice in spring sunlight

• Fish are more likely to take nymph imitations than adult patterns

🌍 Regional Differences

In places like the northwestern USA, stoneflies play a much bigger role:

• More species

• Larger insects

• Abundant hatches

In Sweden, however, the focus should be on:

• Two main colors: yellow and black

• A few key sizes → These are the stonefly patterns that matter most

✅ Key Takeaways

• Stoneflies thrive in clean, oxygen-rich water

• They hatch early in the season, often in cold conditions

• Larval imitations are the most effective for fishing

• Focus on yellow and black patterns in a few sizes

Real Stonefly Nymph - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

Real Stonefly Adult - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION
_______________

THE SCUD – Small Crustaceans, Big Impact

Scuds are small aquatic crustaceans found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They belong to various families, often named differently across regions – but for fly fishers, exact identification isn’t necessary. → One good imitation works for many species.

🌍 Where Scuds Thrive

Scuds are most abundant in:

• Lakes and ponds

• Slow-moving sections of rivers and streams

• Coastal waters

They prefer clean, oxygen-rich environments and are rarely found in acidic forest lakes or humus-rich waters.

🧬 Ancient and Abundant

Scuds are among the oldest aquatic animals on Earth:

• Existed for millions of years

• Crucial food source for fish and other aquatic life

• Studies show 80–95% of a fish’s diet is taken below the surface – where scuds live

🩸 Unique Behavior and Appearance

• Scuds curl up when resting

• They straighten and jump forward when moving

• Many species have hemoglobin, allowing survival in low-oxygen water → This gives some larvae a reddish color

🎣 Why Scud Imitations Are Essential

Whether you're fishing:

• Stillwater for trout

• Streams for grayling

• Rivers for perch

• Or coastal waters for sea trout

→ Scud imitations are a must-have in your fly box.

Colors range from:

• White

• Gray

• Pink

• Light olive

• Olive brown (most common)

🪶 How to Fish Scud Patterns

Use short, jerky movements to mimic their natural behavior:

1. Pull the fly line 10–20 cm to make the fly jump forward

2. Let the fly sink briefly toward the bottom

3. Repeat the motion

→ This technique works especially well in calm sections of flowing water, like pools, ponds, and eddies

✅ Key Takeaways

• Scuds are small but vital in the aquatic food chain

• Found in diverse water types across Sweden

• Fish target them daily, often selectively

• A realistic scud imitation, fished correctly, can make all the difference

Real Scuds - CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION

_______________

TERRESTIAL INSECTS – Vital Food When Aquatic Hatches Slow Down

As aquatic insect hatches begin to fade—especially late in the season—many fish turn their attention to terrestrial insects. These land-based bugs become more vulnerable as temperatures drop and mornings start with frost.

→ They fly poorly, move slowly, and often end up trapped on the water surface, making them easy prey for fish.

Why Terrestrials Matter to Fly Fishers

• Terrestrial insects are seasonally and locally important

• Fish can become highly selective, especially during ant falls in late summer and autumn

• Flying ants can land in huge numbers, triggering feeding frenzies similar to mayfly hatches → If you’re not prepared, you’ll miss out

🪶 How to Fish Terrestrial Patterns

Most terrestrial insects are fished as dry flies, either:

• On the surface, or

• In the surface film

These insects are often clumsy and poorly adapted to water, causing:

• Their bodies to sink into the surface film

• Fish to take them slowly and deliberately

→ Watch for subtle rises and calm feeding rhythms

✅ Key Terrestrial Targets

• Ants (especially flying ants)

• Beetles

• Grasshoppers

• Wasps and other small bugs

These patterns are essential in your fly box—especially when aquatic activity is low.

CHECK OUT THE J:SON IMITATION