What Is a Seine Bug Out Bag & Why Use It

The SnapHatch Bug Out Bag is described as “your essential streamside tool… designed to fit most landing nets and help you quickly gather and identify aquatic insects, whether they’re nymphs clinging to rocks or adults drifting on the surface.”

In other words: while many anglers rely purely on intuition (“I’ll throw a #14 pheasant tail because it always works”), this tool gives you an evidence-based approach: see what’s happening in the water, identify it, and then match the fly.

And because it interfaces with the SnapHatch system (app + image recognition) you can take that extra step of “what species is this?” rather than guessing.

How to use it — step by step

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Set up the seine around your landing net

The Bug Out Bag functions as an insect seine: you stretch the mesh around your landing net (so the net forms the frame) and then sample insects. According to the instructions: “Stretch the seine around your landing net.”

So bring your landing net (something you likely have anyway if you’re fly-fishing). Clip or secure the Bug Out Bag mesh so it covers the net’s opening.

2. Sample nymphs (under the surface)

If you want to see what nymphs (sub‐surface insects) are present:

• Press the net + seine down to the streambed.

• Kick or disturb upstream rocks so nymphs that are clinging get dislodged into the mesh.

• Lift and examine what you’ve collected in the seine.

• Choose the most common insect type you found.

• Then use the SnapHatch app (image recognition) to identify the hatch.

By doing this, you can get a real sample of what’s actively in the river bottom — which is often what trout chow on (nymph stage).

3. Sample emergers & adults on the surface

The instructions then move to insects at or just under the surface:

• Stretch the seine around your landing net again.

• Dip the seine just beneath the water’s surface to “collect drifting insects.”

• Examine what you caught — pick the most common type.

• Then use the SnapHatch app to match the hatch.

This is a smart step: many trout feed aggressively on emergers (insects coming out of nymph stage) or adults that are drifting or flying near the surface. Having a sample means you won’t just assume “they’re eating mayflies” — you’ll see which type and size.

4. Sample flying adult insects

For insects in flight above the water:

• Stretch the seine across your landing net and fully submerge it so the mesh is wetted.

• Sweep through the air to collect flying insects (they’ll stick to the wet mesh).

• Then inspect what you’ve collected and identify the most common insect type, then use the SnapHatch app.

This step is valuable when you see insects flying above the water or resting on the surface but you aren’t sure what they are — this gives you a direct sample.

Why this matters & how it improves your fishing

• Precision over guesswork: Instead of “I think they’re eating small midges,” you see midges in your seine. That allows you to select a fly that mimics the insect you found (size, body shape, color, behavior).

• On-site sampling: Many anglers wade, throw flies, hope for the best. With the Bug Out Bag you actively sample the insects in that specific pool or run. That helps when fish behavior changes mid‐day or when hatches start.

• Better timing: If you sample and see a lot of emergers just starting to drift, you might switch patterns quickly (to emergers / dry flies) rather than wait.

• Confidence & learning: Especially for newer fly-fishers, seeing what’s under the water builds understanding of insect life cycles and how they tie to what fish eat. The combination of the seine + the SnapHatch app helps you learn.

Practical tips & best practices

• Make sure your landing net is compatible: the instructions say “fits most landing nets” — check mesh size & frame size.

• Use this early in your fishing session: sample before you start heavy casting. That gives you an advantage.

• Pay attention to size and quantity: if you collect many small insects of one type, that suggests a heavy legit food source — pick a fly accordingly (both size & color).

• Keep the mesh clean: after each sample, rinse and clear debris so you’re not skewing your observations with leftover insects or leaves.

• Use good lighting: for the app identification, having good light helps you clearly see insect features.

• Stay safe while sampling: when you press into the streambed or kick rocks, check for slippery surfaces, avoid disturbing spawning fish, and watch water depth/currents.

• Use the observations dynamically: if you sample at one pool then move upstream or downstream, sample again — insect populations vary.

Final thoughts

The SnapHatch Bug Out Bag is more than just an accessory — it’s a “data capture” tool for fly fishers who want to step up from guesswork to informed decisions. Bringing it along means you’re not just hoping the fish will take your fly — you’re making your fly match what’s happening in the water. Over time this approach can sharpen your instinct, improve your strike rate, and make your fishing trips more satisfying.

If you’re serious about fly-fishing and want to elevate your game, integrating the Bug Out Bag into your arsenal makes sense. Sample, inspect, identify, then match. That four-step workflow can become second nature, and you’ll fish smarter, not just harder.

Tight lines and happy sampling! 🎣