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How To See FishBy Derek Grzelewski
We had barely got out of the car when Jennifer pointed out to the river and said: “There, a fish just rose! There! Another one! See it?”
New Zealand has an unsurpassed reputation for sight-fishing: seeing the fish before it sees you, sneaking into a position to make that all-important first cast. Both anglers and the guides there have to become experts at spotting trout, out of necessity and by choice. Necessity, since you just wouldn't blind-fish a blue-ribbon water that may hold one large fish every few hundred yards, and choice, because this kind of interaction with the fish is intensely visual, intimate and electrifying, perhaps the most pure and satisfying way to engage with the trout.
Before you even start spotting fish, trying to X-ray the water and willing the trout to appear, you need to know where to look. Otherwise you may end up straining your eyes through a lot of dead water, losing focus and enthusiasm, then spooking the fish when you finally get to where they were feeding all along. Trout are not distributed evenly in a river, they prefer certain features and places and learning to identify this prime trout real estate is the first skill to learn. The best way to do that is to begin looking at a river with the eyes of a paddler. Notice how the river runs: how it turns from side to side, how the outside corner is always the deeper one, how there is usually a distinct stair-case profile to the flow – pool, riffle, pool – and how the water speed varies both along and across the river. These speed differences are the key features for a trout hunter. What you're looking for are current lines and sheers – places where fast and slow water meet.
Trout are top predators and they do not needlessly exert themselves. Their preferred feeding spots are places where they can sit in slower water while feeding from a faster current. Browns are notorious for this, often parking up in totally slack water with just their noses edging into the current. Rainbows tend to favor faster flows, but they still adhere to the same principles and behavior. That is why you rarely find trout feeding in strong featureless current. It simply takes too much of their energy just to stay in one place. So look for any features and disturbances in the river flow: corners and bank protrusions, rocks and trees, current lines and seams. You’ll soon see and realise that, because of the ways the river flows, how pools funnel into riffles and turn left and right, the current lines are places where most of the waterborne trout food gets concentrated. They are the feedlines, and the edges of those are where you’ll find the most fish.
What to Look For
Forgive me for stating the obvious but, in moving water, trout always – ALWAYS – face into the current (to feed and to breathe) and they are streamlined into it so any shape at an odd angle to the flow is unlikely to be a fish. Unless it swims off when you approach, which happens too. How to Look
Your eyes are essentially round lenses whose shape is controlled by several pairs of tiny muscles and good vision is not the matter of their strength but precision, coordination and balance. So, looking for fish, avoid staring hard into the water. This is counterproductive, will fatigue your eyes, lock out your peripheral vision (which is good at picking out movement) and may even give you a headache.
The first time I used the Ignitors on a dark overcast day I remember thinking to myself “man, I can see! I can see again!” Costa Sunrise 580P are another good option. (HELP ME OUT HERE ROSS ) Both are a little too light for full sun so, of course, you’ll need another darker pair for those perfect days. The enduring joy of fly fishing is that you can always buy more stuff. But, as you’re parting with your cash, keep in mind this time you are not buying gadgets but the most essential tool in your fishing kit. In the end, when you've put in plenty of riverside mileage, spooked enough fish and learn from that, when you can read the water and pick out its clues, seeing trout becomes almost a six sense. You can’t even explain how or why but you know that the shape you’re looking at is a fish, even if your companions suspect you of hallucinations. At times, you’ll still cast to rocks and sticks, and weeds especially, though less and less so. There is a particular softness and fluid grace to the shape of trout, which other river features do not have, and you learn to recognize it. It’ll draw your eyes in as if by magic. How do you know you’re there? When you start doubting yourself, when what your mind dismissed as “not a fish” swims off at speed just as you take another step. So, when in doubt, always cast. Some rocks and weeds I’ve seen have been known to even come up and take a dry, put up a good fight afterwards, too. After you've learnt to spot trout, you can apply your fish-finding skills to other species and environments, including salt. The visual clues may be slightly different – the colors, shapes and patterns of movement – but the principles are the same, and so is the thrill. Be forewarned though, fly fishing at this level is addictive in its intensity. It refines both skills and expectations, and the way you want to engage with the fish. It’s like developing a taste for expensive single malts – after you have, it’s no longer satisfying to go back to the cheap stuff. More About Derek... After some 20 years of guiding in New Zealand, Derek Grzelewski now resides in Colorado where he's a wade and float guide for the Roaring Fork Club and a ski professional at Aspen SkiCo. He is the author of internationally acclaimed TROUT TRILOGY and his latest book is Fly Fishing in New Zealand - What You NEED to Know. You'll find him at Best-Days-Only.com Customer Testimonials- New Zealand Strike Indicator SystemBy Robert Quinian
I don't know who thought this up but it is genius. The tool is good quality and looks like it will last. It is simple to use and floats well. A side benefit is the wool works great as a post for dry flies. It really floats well and is easy to work with. I ordered another pack of the wool to use for tying flies.
By Roger O. Bouchard, Jr.
I have been fly fishing 50 years. A lot of worthless junk is sold in this hobby. But this may well be the best product I've ever purchased. It does exactly what it says. Read the instructions and watch the video and you will catch more fish. Or maybe just realize your getting a hit that before you did not realize you were getting. Wish I had thought of it.
By I Fly
"I love how easy it is to use. The wool stays afloat and I can quickly change depths without injuring my leader or tippet."
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Contact - temp | |
this is a test | |
Derek V2 | |
Conquering the Technicality of Montana Spring CreeksBy Tucker Nelson of Nelson's Guides & Flies
“Ah YES! Now I see them,” she said, and her face lit up with a smile. Trout are not smart. They are a product of their environment. If they were smart we would never be able to catch them after they identified what a hook looks like. However, the nature of their environment can make them very selective. Spring creeks are fed by ground water which results in high water quality, stable temperatures, constant flow, and consistent clarity. Another important factor in the aquatic environment is the stream bed substrate. Spring creek bottoms consist of fine to medium size cobble, silt, and plenty of vegetation. All of these attributes create bug factories. However, the stable nature of the spring creek environment is geared toward certain species of aquatic insects with a large percentage of them being small. Thus, a trout that resides in a spring creek is continually fed a steady diet of small bugs. In order to be successful, the angler must posses the ability to imitate the characteristics of small insects. The aquatic insects inhabiting spring creeks exist in large numbers, but the diversity of species is by no means over whelming. The stable environment supports large portions of specific types of bugs. Medium to small sized mayflies, midges, and crustaceans make up the largest percentage of a spring creek trout's diet. The mix of different mayflies and midges follow the seasons and are fairly predictable. It is important to be familiar with the different colors and sizes of the given insects for the time of year. The better the angler knows the entomology the more rewarding the fly fishing will be. Imitating small bugs presents challenges that are overcome by using the correct equipment. In order to match little insects, small sparsely tied fly patterns in the correct size and colors suffice. A small fly must be fished on light tippet (6x or 7x) in order to allow it to flutter like a natural insect. If the same pattern is fished on thicker tippet (4x or lower) the fly acts stiff and will not look edible to the trout. Light tippet breaks easier than the thicker material when put under pressure by the large trout residing in spring creeks. Counteracting the fragility of light tippet starts with the length of the material, is aided by the softness (or amount of bend) in the tip of the fly rod, and mastered by the fish fighting technique of the angler. The shorter the length of tippet the easier it will break. Using three feet or more for the tippet takes advantage of the elasticity of the material and aids in protecting against breakage. Medium to medium-fast action fly rods bend more then their fast action counterparts preventing unnecessary break offs. The bend in the rod acts like a spring and helps absorb the changing pressures while fighting a fish. Landing large trout on light tippet requires an understanding of the different forces the material can handle. The correct length of tippet and the proper fly rod help negate breaking, but proper technique must also be applied. Tippet can take constant pressure, but breaks under sudden impact. An angler must use the bend of the rod at the correct angle while applying constant pressure to land the fish. A trouts food moves with the current of the water as it flows over and around obstacles in the stream bed. Fish use the current to convey the insects into their open mouths. Due to the small size of the bugs most of their motion is determined by the way the current flows. The combination of these factors creates an environment in which the trout becomes selective to the numerous little bugs pushed through the water column by the stream flow. The job of the successful angler is to imitate these tiny creatures with the appropriate fly pattern while it's tied to a fly line followed by the leader and lastly the tippet. Proper fly presentation becomes essential in order to complete this challenging task. A spring creek angler must practice accuracy, mending, and the all important reach cast. Through the implementation of all these techniques the anglers success on Montana spring creeks will increase exponentially. Spring creek fly fishing techniques take practice, but when broken down are not that complicated. A simple understanding of spring creek entomology, making sure to have the correct fly patterns and equipment, and practicing common fly presentation methods go a long way in the making of a successful spring creek angler. Contact Nelson's Guides and Flies, or better yet come stay with us at Nelson's Spring Creek Lodge, and we'd be happy to jump start your learning to master the nuances of spring creek fly fishing. For more information - please visit www.NelsonsGuidesAndFlies.com Customer Testimonials
Changed My World
A must for any serious tailwater or technical water angler. If you are not using this system you are missing subtle strikes and spooking fish with your indicator.
Facebook
By
Robert Quinian
The tool is good quality and looks like it will last
I don't know who thought this up but it is genius. The tool is good quality and looks like it will last. It is simple to use and floats well. A side benefit is the wool works great as a post for dry flies. It really floats well and is easy to work with. I ordered another pack of the wool to use for tying flies.
Verified Purchase
By
Roger O. Bouchard, Jr.
Simple and excellent
I have been fly fishing 50 years. A lot of worthless junk is sold in this hobby. But this may well be the best product I’ve ever purchased. It does exactly what it says. Read the instructions and watch the video and you will catch more fish. Or maybe just realize your getting a hit that before you did not realize you were getting. Wish I had thought of it.
Verified Purchase
By
I Fly
I love how easy it is to use
"I love how easy it is to use. The wool stays afloat and I can quickly change depths without injuring my leader or tippet."
Verified Purchase
By
Mary P. Eul
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Nelson's Guides & Flies | |
Conquering the Technicality of Montana Spring CreeksBy Tucker Nelson of Nelson's Guides & Flies Fly fishing spring creeks in Montana requires a fine tuning of skills and techniques. Although the general methods are the same across fly fishing, special attention to detail makes the difference between a successful or a frustrating day on the water. Spring Creeks have a reputation of intimidating anglers due to the technical nature of the fishing and the stories of the anglers that have been humbled by the gin clear water. The intimidation factor can be overcome by understanding what makes spring creek fly fishing technical, a basic understanding of aquatic insects, best equipment to use, and fly presentation. Trout are not smart. They are a product of their environment. If they were smart we would never be able to catch them after they identified what a hook looks like. However, the nature of their environment can make them very selective. Spring creeks are fed by ground water which results in high water quality, stable temperatures, constant flow, and consistent clarity. Another important factor in the aquatic environment is the stream bed substrate. Spring creek bottoms consist of fine to medium size cobble, silt, and plenty of vegetation. All of these attributes create bug factories. However, the stable nature of the spring creek environment is geared toward certain species of aquatic insects with a large percentage of them being small. Thus, a trout that resides in a spring creek is continually fed a steady diet of small bugs. In order to be successful, the angler must posses the ability to imitate the characteristics of small insects. The aquatic insects inhabiting spring creeks exist in large numbers, but the diversity of species is by no means over whelming. The stable environment supports large portions of specific types of bugs. Medium to small sized mayflies, midges, and crustaceans make up the largest percentage of a spring creek trout's diet. The mix of different mayflies and midges follow the seasons and are fairly predictable. It is important to be familiar with the different colors and sizes of the given insects for the time of year. The better the angler knows the entomology the more rewarding the fly fishing will be. Imitating small bugs presents challenges that are overcome by using the correct equipment. In order to match little insects, small sparsely tied fly patterns in the correct size and colors suffice. A small fly must be fished on light tippet (6x or 7x) in order to allow it to flutter like a natural insect. If the same pattern is fished on thicker tippet (4x or lower) the fly acts stiff and will not look edible to the trout. Light tippet breaks easier than the thicker material when put under pressure by the large trout residing in spring creeks. Counteracting the fragility of light tippet starts with the length of the material, is aided by the softness (or amount of bend) in the tip of the fly rod, and mastered by the fish fighting technique of the angler. The shorter the length of tippet the easier it will break. Using three feet or more for the tippet takes advantage of the elasticity of the material and aids in protecting against breakage. Medium to medium-fast action fly rods bend more then their fast action counterparts preventing unnecessary break offs. The bend in the rod acts like a spring and helps absorb the changing pressures while fighting a fish. Landing large trout on light tippet requires an understanding of the different forces the material can handle. The correct length of tippet and the proper fly rod help negate breaking, but proper technique must also be applied. Tippet can take constant pressure, but breaks under sudden impact. An angler must use the bend of the rod at the correct angle while applying constant pressure to land the fish. A trouts food moves with the current of the water as it flows over and around obstacles in the stream bed. Fish use the current to convey the insects into their open mouths. Due to the small size of the bugs most of their motion is determined by the way the current flows. The combination of these factors creates an environment in which the trout becomes selective to the numerous little bugs pushed through the water column by the stream flow. The job of the successful angler is to imitate these tiny creatures with the appropriate fly pattern while it's tied to a fly line followed by the leader and lastly the tippet. Proper fly presentation becomes essential in order to complete this challenging task. A spring creek angler must practice accuracy, mending, and the all important reach cast. Through the implementation of all these techniques the anglers success on Montana spring creeks will increase exponentially. Spring creek fly fishing techniques take practice, but when broken down are not that complicated. A simple understanding of spring creek entomology, making sure to have the correct fly patterns and equipment, and practicing common fly presentation methods go a long way in the making of a successful spring creek angler. Contact Nelson's Guides and Flies, or better yet come stay with us at Nelson's Spring Creek Lodge, and we'd be happy to jump start your learning to master the nuances of spring creek fly fishing. For more information - please visit www.NelsonsGuidesAndFlies.com Customer Testimonials Changed My World A must for any serious tailwater or technical water angler. If you are not using this system you are missing subtle strikes and spooking fish with your indicator. Facebook By Robert Quinian The tool is good quality and looks like it will last I don't know who thought this up but it is genius. The tool is good quality and looks like it will last. It is simple to use and floats well. A side benefit is the wool works great as a post for dry flies. It really floats well and is easy to work with. I ordered another pack of the wool to use for tying flies. Verified Purchase By Roger O. Bouchard, Jr. Simple and excellent I have been fly fishing 50 years. A lot of worthless junk is sold in this hobby. But this may well be the best product I’ve ever purchased. It does exactly what it says. Read the instructions and watch the video and you will catch more fish. Or maybe just realize your getting a hit that before you did not realize you were getting. Wish I had thought of it. Verified Purchase By I Fly I love how easy it is to use "I love how easy it is to use. The wool stays afloat and I can quickly change depths without injuring my leader or tippet." Verified Purchase By Mary P. Eul |
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Skills: Sight-Fishing by D. Grzelewski | |
Conquering the Technicality of Montana Spring CreeksBy Tucker Nelson of
We had barely got out of the car when Jennifer pointed out to the river and said: “There, a fish just rose! There! Another one! See it?”
Where To LookBefore you even start spotting fish, trying to X-ray the water and willing the trout to appear, you need to know where to look. Otherwise you may end up straining your eyes through a lot of dead water, losing focus and enthusiasm, then spooking the fish when you finally get to where they were feeding all along. Trout are not distributed evenly in a river, they prefer certain features and places and learning to identify this prime trout real estate is the first skill to learn. The best way to do that is to begin looking at a river with the eyes of a paddler. Notice how the river runs: how it turns from side to side, how the outside corner is always the deeper one, how there is usually a distinct stair-case profile to the flow – pool, riffle, pool – and how the water speed varies both along and across the river. These speed differences are the key features for a trout hunter. What you're looking for are current lines and sheers – places where fast and slow water meet.
What to Look ForForgive me for stating the obvious but, in moving water, trout always – ALWAYS – face into the current (to feed and to breathe) and they are streamlined into it so any shape at an odd angle to the flow is unlikely to be a fish. Unless it swims off when you approach, which happens too.
One summer day on New Zealand's West Coast, my friend and I were staring at a log which almost barred the river and a massive branch protruding upstream from the log, just below the surface. The branch was almost too thick and long to be a trout but the light was terrible, with drizzly overcast and metallic glare, so we could not tell for sure. We were down on our knees, peering through the clumps of tall grass, and the cicadas were too loud to hear yourself think.
How to Look
Your eyes are essentially round lenses whose shape is controlled by several pairs of tiny muscles and good vision is not the matter of their strength but precision, coordination and balance. So, looking for fish, avoid staring hard into the water. This is counterproductive, will fatigue your eyes, lock out your peripheral vision (which is good at picking out movement) and may even give you a headache.
New Zealand Strike Indicator - Customer Te
Changed My World
A must for any serious tailwater or technical water angler. If you are not using this system you are missing subtle strikes and spooking fish with your indicator.
Facebook
By
Robert Quinian
The tool is good quality and looks like it will last
I don't know who thought this up but it is genius. The tool is good quality and looks like it will last. It is simple to use and floats well. A side benefit is the wool works great as a post for dry flies. It really floats well and is easy to work with. I ordered another pack of the wool to use for tying flies.
Verified Purchase
By
Roger O. Bouchard, Jr.
Simple and excellent
I have been fly fishing 50 years. A lot of worthless junk is sold in this hobby. But this may well be the best product I’ve ever purchased. It does exactly what it says. Read the instructions and watch the video and you will catch more fish. Or maybe just realize your getting a hit that before you did not realize you were getting. Wish I had thought of it.
Verified Purchase
By
I Fly
I love how easy it is to use
"I love how easy it is to use. The wool stays afloat and I can quickly change depths without injuring my leader or tippet."
Verified Purchase
By
Mary P. Eul
|
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