Does sampling require you catch lots? I thought sampling is done according to your method and caculated increase or decline in comparison to what ever you're measuring.
You could do samplings with just a dip net. Have a method (1 swipe covers 2-3 ft. of pond bottom with leaf matter), then count larva. keep them in a bucket, then do another area of the pond. Do so many "swipes" per square yards of pond (length x width x depth).
Try to pick the method that is reproducable (with less varience or error) and is less labor intensive.
It also depends on what your measuring. Season to season population changes with in ponds versus geographical analysis between ponds.
BTW...I envy you
I wish I was back in school!!! Sludging through ponds
...actually researching the very thing I enjoy (hobby).
Thera what ever you decide to do, take pics and have a blast!
Keep us posted too (after you publish of course). It's sounds very interesting.
Al