After achieving notable success in distilling the essence of great trout fishing in the finest locations across the globe with their Source films, Gin Clear turn their attention to fish behaviour in their next trilogy of films: Hatch, Predator and the forthcoming Leviathan.

Hatch represents the pinacle of Gin Clear's achievements thus far and, in the stable of their existing work, this is saying something! The wonderful footage of predatorial trout shown in Predator applies tenfold here. All our greatest fishing moments are captured: trout taking duns on the wing; oh so gently supping spent spinners; patiently stalking potential prey; seductively nuzzling suspect quarry before - rather infuriatingly - rejecting it outright - it's all here, richly presented in gorgeous detail.

Part fishing adventure, part feeding habit thesis, Hatch is as entertaining as it is informative and the wonders of nature bleed into every frame. Once again the Gin Clear crew are joined on their adventures with an array of characters who are both informative and passionate; just the kind of guys you'd like to share a river with.

If there's a criticism, it's in the final chapter documenting trevally feeding on krill. This segment is covered rather superficially compared to the rest of the film but it's a forgivable trespass; how would one film such tiny creatures as krill being preyed upon anyway. Ultimately, I guess the segment is included for completeness.

And the presentation would certainly benefit from a Blu-ray release but as far as DVD goes, this is the goods.

Without a doubt Gin Clear's pinnacle achievement thus far, Hatch is also a pinnacle achievement for flyfishing films generally. It raises the benchmark for other production houses to follow and as a document of fish feeding behaviour it is without parallel.

A worthy recipient of the full 5 Kriegers.

Reviewed by Stu Jamieson
DATE

Stu Jamieson is a movie writer and redundant cinema projectionist who has written many more reviews than he has caught fish. His countless hours casting to hula hoops on his front lawn aims to redress this imbalance.