I happen to respect the "respected" fly fishing authors. Ones who come immediately to mind are Mike Lawson, Rene Harrop, Craig Mathews, Gary LaFontaine, Randal Kaufman, Jack Dennis, etc., etc.
These guys have logged many, many more hours fishing, tying and studying insects, rivers, and trout than I dare say any of us.
I have learned a lot from these guys and really respect their observations and opinions..........
Gary Borger, for example.