Thomas Ames Jr. was a commercial photographer for the thirty years leading up to the publication of his Hatch Guide For New England Streams. In addition to numerous magazine articles he wrote and photographed two more books: Fishbugs: The Aquatic Insects of an Eastern Fly Fisher ; and Caddisflies: A guide to Eastern Species for Anglers and Other Naturalists . Tom then became certified in Elementary Education and began a rewarding second career as a teacher of math, science, reading, and writing to fifth graders, earning his Masters degree in Education at the age of 60. Trout in the Classroom and assessing water quality in the nearby Mascoma River watershed were an integral component of his science curriculum. Thomas lives with his wife of 39 years in Norwich, Vermont within casting range of the Connecticut, White, Mascoma, Ottaquechee, and Ompompanoosuc Rivers.