By Kevin Raffle
Observation is key if you want to have lasting success
hooking trout on any lake. To take it a step further, being
observant is the most important tip there is to improving
your success rate of hook ups on any still water. What ever
events that unfold above the waters surface will often
dictate what goes on beneath it. By not being observant to
various activity around you can, and often does make for a
highly uneventful day. However by paying attention to what
is happening on around the lake, over the lake, and under
the water, will enable you to develop and choose better
techniques and make better fly choices that will greatly
improve your hook up ratio. Listed below are some key
observations that can be used in order to put the odds in
your favour while out on the water.
Mother Nature: Weather in the high country can be
unpredictable and will often change in a blink of an eye.
Especially in spring time it is typical to have the
conditions all over the map. One minute you can find your
self out on the water under an over cast sky, and within the
next few minutes the sky can open up revealing clear blue
warmer conditions, thus setting off that big hatch you have
been waiting for. Then just as you start to get used to the
inviting rays of the sun, the clouds roll in from the
distance and the sky closes back up, then snow flurries
start. If at all possible keep track of the local weather
patterns of the area you plan to visit. Even though one
can’t control what mother nature does around us, try and
plan your adventure around a time when the weather is
stable. Try and keep track of Barometric Pressure. A sudden
drop in the Barometer with a low cold front, or even a
dramatic rise with a high front can potentially put the fish
off and make the fishing challenging. Sudden high fronts can
often result in electrical storms which make it no fun to be
out on the open water tossing a fly rod around. In a nut
shell, fishing in stable and constant weather conditions can
improve your odds at having a day full of bent rods. It is
also good to have a back up plan. Such as a second lake
option just in case you get tossed a curve ball weather
wise.
Insect Activity on and around the lake: Before launching out
into your day on the water, take a few minutes and sift
through the vegetation on the shoreline, then have a look
across the waters surface. Make a note on what sort of
insects you see in the weeds and those hovering over the
lake. For example, if you notice that adult damsel flies are
present buzzing around, then have a look in the beds of bull
rush and cat tail along the shoreline. Chances are you will
find some Damsel Nymphs completing their migration to drier
surroundings. If you can match what you see in size and
color, then it will only be a matter of time until you are
rewarded with a taker at the end of your line. Often with a
quick simple brush through the vegetation you can spot the
various insects in their nymphal stage. Dragon Fly Nymphs,
Damsels, Fresh Water Shrimp, Leeches, and other
invertebrates commonly use the weeds for cover from
predators such as hungry trout.
Boats and Birds: Now that you have an idea on what the
insect life looks like on your chosen body of water, it’s
time to launch out and start fishing. However observation
time is not over. In fact it never is. Be on the look out
for pupal shucks such as Chironomids. Make a note on the
size of the shucks you have identified. Fish can be picky at
the best of times, keying in on certain sizes and color
combinations. This is especially more prevalent in shallow
water of 15 feet or less. Also keep a watchful eye out for
boat and bird activity. If you notice boat activity in one
area of the lake, that may be a sign that something is
happening over there and may be worth a look. (Be sure not
to crowd anyone, and give others enough space to fish
comfortably. By not doing so is considered bad educate.)
Bird activity over the water is often the first tell tail
signs that something is up under the water. For instance in
early spring, if you spot swallows dive bombing the waters
surface looking for a meal, then it will almost be certain
there is a Chironomid hatch under way and it would be worth
while to investigate. Remember birds such as swallows equals
hatch activity which in most cases can lead you to feeding
fish. Predatory birds such as Loons and Osprey are a common
sight on interior still waters. If they are spotted in the
same area you are fishing and the action is slow, then try
fishing in deeper water, or moving to another location, as
they often drive the fish off or into deeper water.
Know what lies beneath you: Arguably the most important
point to take into consideration. Drop offs, shoals, and
weed beds are often where you will find fish foraging for
food. Without knowing the depth or structure of the area you
are in, you will essentially be fishing blind. So having a
depth finder will pay you back ten fold in good results. If
a depth finder is not in your plans, then simply using
forceps and line, or marking your anchor rope can help you
determine the depth of water you are sitting in.
Thinking outside of the box: By doing so can potentially
save an otherwise quiet day. Stay mobile. If the action is
slow where you are, then cover more water in different areas
until you find where the fish are located. If the hatch
activity is slow, try searching out a shoal or drop off, and
either retrieve or troll an attractor pattern through these
areas using a full sink or sink tip line to get your
offering down. Once you have located insect and fish
activity in a particular area, it is recommended that you go
into a stealth mode when approaching your intended piece of
water. If you are in a boat, be sure to shut down the motor
and row or use an electric motor to get into the spot where
you will be anchoring. Keep your boat organized. The more
noise you make by clanging or dropping items in the bottom
of your boat, the more it can turn the fishing off through
vibration from the commotion in the boat. Lastly, keep
fishing. There are no rules written in stone when out on the
water, and as long as your fly is in the water anything can
happen! Tight Lines.
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