"Bear Swamp," PA, USA

My fascination with aquatic insects began as a youngster. As might be expected, that interest was stimulated by a passion for fly fishing. In the more than forty years since I could be considered young, I have clogged my head with all manner of arcane trivia and otherwise-useless information about the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Contributing to BugGuide allows me to relieve the cranial pressure a bit. :)

Like my friend and fellow fly-fishing contributor, Roger Rohrbeck, I do the best I can to identify aquatics, answer questions, and inspire an interest in aquatic entomology among anglers and others. And like another fly-fishing contributor, Thomas Ames, (whose Hatch Guide for New England Streams is one of the finest little angler's guides I have read) I am an author/writer who tries to tighten the knot that has always connected aquatic entomology and fly fishing.

I am also something of a "charter" contributor to the 2nd version of Jason Neuswanger's Troutnut.com. That participation has allowed me to test my identification skills against those of other knowledgeable amateurs as well as the fine professional aquatic entomologists who frequent the site. In the process, I have been able to pick up tips and information that often cannot be found in published descriptions and dichotomous keys. Above all, it has afforded me the opportunity to learn from my mistakes.

My thanks to all who manage, maintain, and contribute to BugGuide. It is a wonderful resource and a compelling outlet for my obssession.