Trout fly fishing will soon have you hooked!
Fly Fishing - The Feeding Behaviour Of Trout by: Wayne G Smith
Fly fishing, in all it's variations and sub-areas (casting, fly tying, etc), centres around a single goal – To successfully tempt a fish (Most commonly a trout) to take an artificial fly as a food item. Sighting, hooking, playing and landing the fish are also important parts of the successful fishing experience, not to mention being able to get the fly to the fish in the first place, by the unique casting methods utilized solely in fly fishing.
However, along with all that work, and the practice of the skills involved in bringing it all together at that crucial moment, comes that pivotal element of convincing the fish that what they are considering is indeed food-like in nature. Without this key element, we can forget the rest, and this is the one step of the exercise which is dependant upon the decision of the fish, rather than ourselves.
In this, fly fishermen spend untold amounts of time researching, studying, and imitating countless insect types in aid of presenting a believable decoy to their quarry. We tie our flies, the fish takes it, our efforts paid off, right?
But is everything as it seems? Did we deceive the fish for exactly the reasons we thought?
Although there are many factors involved in getting that fly to a timid fish, and fly fishing itself was obviously designed around overcoming all of those obstacles, considering it's significance, understanding the 'Feeding behaviour' of the trout has probably taken somewhat of a back seat, compared to some of the other areas or skills of fly fishing, we fishermen often seem to focus our efforts on.
The feeding behaviour of trout is the sum of two main factors:
Firstly, through the fry and fingerling stages of development, the identification of specific ‘Food Recognition Keys’ are ingrained resulting from the repetitive feeding pattern of their natural survival instincts.
Secondly, as they get larger, they can manage larger diet articles. Supplementary behaviour is then learned out of a reactive response to the local fauna they find in the area where they are hatched or released. Local knowledge is naturally beneficial here and this is normally what we focus on when fly fishing.
The behavioural patterns of trout vary significantly between the species, the size and the circumstances in which they are found. Trout habits also change through different times of the day, and again depending on weather conditions. Feeding habits and behaviours also change between faster and slower waters, and so on.
As in most types of fishing, there is not just one single or simple answer. If there was, it would have been made common knowledge, a long time ago. What this does tell us, is that to increase our odds of convincing the trout of the validity of our fly, it's going to be far more beneficial to concentrate on presenting specific 'Recognition keys', which remain consistent, rather than the far more subjective; 'Circumstance-specific learned behaviour' which will often vary greatly from fish to fish, and particularly from place to place.
There are many pieces to this puzzle. The more pieces you can find, understand and put together, the more it multiplies your fly fishing results. What this methodology does do for us especially, is simplify and sharpen our learning curve by quite an incredible degree.
Therefore, instead of studying dozens, even hundreds or more, of insects and the flies designed to imitate them, I've found that in nearly all circumstances, you need only a few fly patterns, each designed to do a specific job in the varying circumstances found on the stretch of water you're fishing.
Trout Flies then induce fish 'Takes' by the use of food 'Recognition Keys,' rather than by intended imitation. For this method then, local knowledge becomes relatively irrelevant.
This means flies do not need to imitate anything to catch trout. What!?! Say that again.- Flies do not need to imitate anything to catch trout. Certainly nothing specific anyway.
Flies can then be tied to counter stream or water conditions, or to counter, and or take advantage of, various aspects of trout behaviour. This, then (Not being restricted by specific imitation), opens up possibilities for us to incorporate the use of innovative strategies, tactics and trout fly construction, to give ourselves a far greater edge than previously thought possible.
The more time we have spent fishing with incorrect or insufficient knowledge, the more time you have spent developing the mindset that the trout is a vastly superior, cunning and unpredictable adversary, and results like mine become seemingly unattainable, and without such knowledge becoming available, the practical reality remains precisely that.
Normally it takes years of studying these fish, trial and error with different fly patterns, different fishing techniques, different innovative designs and methods with the right focus to get to a place where you understand these creatures adequately for the outstanding results we normally only see the Pro's achieving.
Fortunately, with the right focus, we can now be achieving much greater success in much shorter time frames by understanding and taking advantage of these 'Recognition keys', combined with other behavioural patterns of the trout species we are targeting and just some basic skills of fly fishing.
5 Essential Tips:- Remembering just five essential steps will improve fly fishing for beginners and experts alike. The five angling gems that will help you catch more trout are all any keen fly fisherman needs to do.
Generations of anglers have learned that catching brown, blue, tiger, or rainbow trout, and even sea trout relies upon:
The Fly – Choosing the right fly is one thing. Presenting it to the prey in an appealing fashion is often more important.
The Cast – Power and distance often dominate the keen beginner, in a desire to emulate advanced fly-casting experts. Technique, Timing and Tactics will often improve your chances of catching fish and help enjoy fly-fishing.
The Retrieve – The challenge of mimicking an insect from a distance of twenty yards using only a nine-foot fishing rod, fluorocarbon and modern fly line is a difficult one. Learning the diverse characteristics of each fishing fly is essential to adapt to the conditions and hoodwink even the most stubborn rainbow trout.
The Fish – Be your prey. By understanding the behaviour, characteristics, habit and attitude of the rainbow rout you can catch more fish. Different species of trout exhibit contrasting responses to the influence of the environment around them.
Nature - Learn to understand and pre-empt the changing environment and choose the right approach for different water conditions, weather factors and even the by near by fauna.
Gearing Up. Tips for Getting Started. Tip 1 Choosing the Right Rod for Your Style of Fishing. When considering a fly rod you must also consider its action. Action is the fly rod's performance. A rod with fast action will feel stiff when it's flexed and it unflexes quickly when loaded or flexed by the line when casting. It is designed to cast further and for catching larger fish. For Great Deals on Fly Rods visit http://www.bamboofun.com/buy-fly-rods-orvis.php Medium Action is when your rod is limber and unflexes smoothly when it is loaded. It is the most popular of fly fishers because of its versatility. It is the best option for both beginners and people that only plan on investing in a single rod. Slow Action means that your rod feels very limber and unflexes in a slow, fluid manner after loading. Great for accuracy on short casts and in tight spaces. Tip 2. Choosing the Right Reel for Your Rod.The reel should balance with the fly rod and make your entire outfit feel comfortable. Reels that are too heavy or too light are a distraction that can affect your casting. Generally, short rods balance better with lighter weight reels and longer rods with heavier ones. Every reel should hold a minimum of 75 yards of backing. You shouldn't need it for the average fish but you will need it for most fish of over 4 pounds in size. Tip 3. Choosing the Right Line for Your Outfit A clean fly line in good repair is essential to good line handling and performance. Bright colored fly lines are great for fishing nymphs but can hinder your presentation to spooky fish in clear water. Be sure to select the right weight line to balance your rod. Tip 4. Choosing your Waders What is the temperature of the water going to be the largest percentage of the time when you have waders on? It is a lot more bearable to be a little warm on a hot day than a whole lot of cold on a chilly one.What kind of material should I choose? There are several different types of materials that you can select from when choosing your waders. Neoprene is probably the most popular wader material. It is durable and can take a lot of abuse. You can select which thickness, 3mm or 5mm that would suit your needs best. Additionally, neoprene comes in multiple color choices. Waders also come in materials like Gore-Tex®, which allows moisture to escape through the wader even while in the water. Canvas waders are available as are Nylon waders are also great choice for beginner fly fishermen. Wader choice continued.Improper fitting waders can restrict your range of motion while climbing over rocks or getting in and out of a boat, all of which could also contribute to a wading mishap or fall that could cause personal or equipment damage. Additionally, waders that fit incorrectly can fill up with water if you happen to slip. Tip 5. What Type of Shoes to Wear.Some waders have the boots connected to the wader in one piece. These are called boot foot waders. If you are going to spend most of your time in cold weather and water, they are by far the right choice. They provide the best cold-water protection and most of them come insulated. Another advantage to the boot foot wader is they are low maintenance and are very easy to put on and take off. Because rocks and sand can't slip into the boot, there is no need to put on gravel guards to protect your feet from getting rubbed raw. Other options include water sandals for warmer weather. Closed toe sandals are recommended due to the possibility of stubbing your toe on a rock or fallen log.
Floating Tubes Floating tubes are one-man fishing floatation devices for lake and slow river fishing. They look like an inner tube covered with a cloth mesh liner, seat, and back rest.Using floats help you catch fish that swim near the surface of the water. To make using a float tube easier, wear swim fins. They will make it easier to propel yourself to your desired location.
Tips Just for Women There are a significant number of women who fly fish, quite competitively I might add, and this growing trend has led to a significant amount of apparel and tackle designed and manufactured specifically for women. Waders, boots, vests and the like all for the female figure and necessity in mind. Additionally, many women find that they prefer a medium or medium-fast action rod for the majority of their fishing. Although there is no question that a woman can cast any rod a man can cast, and do so just as effectively, most women lack the upper body strength that men have and thus experience more fatigue.
Fly fishing schools, clubs, and guides are catering to women now. In fact, many guide services also have female guides. Find one that does and learn to fly fish from a women's expert perspective. Fly Fishing Schools can be located on line so that you can find one near you.
Reading The Water Reading The Water. Tips And Tricks For Better Fishing Days Trout Fishing Tips Most Effective Flies for Calm Water: * Dry Flies - Midge, Caddisfly, Mayfly, and Humpy* Wet Flies - Most soft hackle flies, Zonker, Wooly worm and bugger* Nymps - Streamer, leech, damsel fly nymph, and dragon fly Most productive Temperature Ranges by Fish species: * Panfish 65° to 75°* Brook Trout 55° to 63°* Rainbow and brown trout 55° to 64° Perfect Places for Trout: * Look in the slow current all around rocks and other large debris * Look to where the fast water of a riffle (a rapid in a stream, shallow but fast moving water) digs out an indentation as it meets the slow water of a pool. * Look where cold fresh water enters a larger body of water or where slow water merges with fast water. * Look along the banks and undercuts of a river * Look at the tail of a pool where the water narrows. * During feeding periods fish can be found in riffles, pockets, and runs along shorelines of pools. * During resting periods look for fish in deep pocket water, slower riffles, and channel runs. The 5 senses of a trout: * Did you know that trout see color? They do and it tends to spook them. Camouflage yourself to blend into your surroundings and leave your bright red hat at home. * Trout also have binocular vision in front of them so they are more easily approached from the rear and to move slowly. * Trout hear better than people do! In fact, their hearing is so developed that they can feel you coming. Tread lightly but don't worry about whispering-the voice sounds muffled underwater and isn't easily identified as a threat. Brown Trout facts: Live in shallow water Live in cool and well oxygenated streams or lakes Feed on insects, larvae, mollusks, salamanders, worms, frogs and rodents. Range between 10-13 inches Rainbow Trout Facts: Survive better in lakes than streams Are attracted to the cooler depths Feed close to the bottom. Can adapt to salt water Grow to 18 inches Lake Trout Facts: Like rainbow trout they prefer cold deep lakes Generally prefer to reside in 50 or more feet of water Grow to 27 inches Brook Trout Facts: Live in small streams Are known to eat their eggs and young Grows to about 15 inches. Steelhead Trout Facts: The steelhead is a rainbow trout that spends the first years of its life in freshwater but spends adulthood in the ocean, though it does return to the freshwater to spawn. Grows to 20-40 inches. Trout Food: When considering trout fishing it is important to understand what they eat and when in order to choose the appropriate fly. * Aquatic Insects are insects that live in the water. They have a lifecycle that includes an aquatic nymph stage and then they grow into a winged adult. The adults, which only live for a few hours or days, then return to the water to mate and lay their eggs. They include mayflies, stone flies, caddis flies, damsel flies, and dragon flies. * Terrestrial Insects are insects that live on the land and become fish food by falling in the water or are gobbled up form low lying growth. They include ants, beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, crickets, wasps and bees, spiders, and worms. * Crustaceans are an important part of the trout food chain. They generally crawl along the bottom of the water. Freshwater crustaceans include scuds, sow bugs, and crayfish. Saltwater includes Crabs, shrimp, scuds, and crayfish. |