07-23-2006, 07:06 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I kind of avoided jumping in on this one because there are so many variables. It is hard to offer a generalized answer based upon a brief description of a single species on a single water...when I was not there to make my own observations. And, that is a key to coming up with any definitive answer...proper perception and accurate evaluation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, I will have to admit that I have had more than my share of experiences when the fish were "acting funny". We all love it when we make the perfect cast, strip the line in just right and we are rewarded with a solid take and a perfect hookup. Makes ya grin a lot. But, fish don't always act like we would like them to.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There have been some good observations and suggestions already offered. To what has been posted so far, I would like to make a generalization. That is that fish strike according to "triggers". Those triggers can be affected by water temp and clarity, light conditions, most common food source and just the overall "mode" of the fish...active, inactive or neutral.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Triggers can be in the form of sight, smell, action, size, color patterns, etc. Sometimes the fish key in on specific sizes, colors and actions...based upon their current preferred food source. Other times something purely "representational" will get the job done. "Match the hatch" vs "close enough". This is often the case with flies...something about the same size, shape and color will catch non-descriminating fish. Other days, unless you are smack spang on, you don't get more than an occasional looksee from the fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All of this affects how the fish whack your lure or fly. When they are actively feeding, and your offering is "close enough", you have a better chance of getting a solid take. If the fish are in a neutral or negative mode, you have to use a fly or lure...fished the right way...to induce a "reaction bite". It can be like teasing a cat with a string. They aren't really in a feeding mode, but will take a whack at something attractive even though they don't open their mouths all the way and gulp it down. Sometimes they only nip at the tail end. Other times they may do nothing more than bump it with their noses and do not even open their mouths.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have a whole series of ploys and tactics I institute when the fish are there and playing hard to get...or striking short. First is varying the speed of the retrieve. Sometimes they want a slower retrieve, or will smack it while it is sinking slowly after a complete stop. Other times they want a faster retrieve, to trigger the predatory instinct...hammer it before it gets away. On still other occasions they want an erratic retrieve...stop, start, stop, wiggle, lift, drop or whatever. Once you try something and get a solid take, keep doing it until you prove that it was a fluke.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have watched programs that show how fish take trolled flies and lures, from an underwater camera mounted on a downrigger. It is amazing how many times a fish will follow the fly or lure for a long ways, without ever hitting it. It's also amazing how sometimes when an S turn, a sudden stop or drop back or a quick speedup will trigger a striking response. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Once I started fishing flies for bluegill, I became a better fly fisherman for trout. An old timer showed me how to point the rod directly at the fly and to strip the line in while maintaining complete "touch". Bluegill are notorious for coming up behind a fly, sucking it in and spitting it out without the angler ever knowing they were there. If you become attuned to detecting any change in "the force", you just give a little extra pull on the line hand. If there is resistance, then make a lift with the rod hand to set the hook and join the battle. If you do not feel the fish with the line hand, speed up the stripping to get the fish to hit again...harder. That works with trout too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are a million other variables to employ when the fish are finicky and hitting short. Clipping the tail is one often-effective tactic. Going to a smaller (or slightly larger) size is another. Sometimes tieing on something more visible and brighter colored will trigger more reaction bites. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I like to troll flies from my tube, especially when using a full sinker to dredge the depths. Keeps the flies down in the "zone" better and saves a lot of wear and tear on the old casting arm. But, I seldom just drag the flies along waiting for a stupid fish to hang itself. I am constantly doing something to try to add some enticement. Wiggling the rod tip can help. So can stopping once in awhile and doing a "shivver lift"...raising the rod tip while wiggling the rod. This imitates many forms of aquatic insects or other invertebrates that act that way when they head up off the bottom.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Missed strikes. If it becomes common, I adopt the advice from another old teacher. Don't try to set the hook on every bump. Just keep the fly or lure coming, at the same speed or slightly faster. Often you will get a series of several bumps before you feel weight. That is the time to set the hook.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If none of this works, welcome to fishing. Whenever you begin to think you have the fish all figured out, they will find a way to humble you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Is that enough words? At least 2 cents worth?[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, I will have to admit that I have had more than my share of experiences when the fish were "acting funny". We all love it when we make the perfect cast, strip the line in just right and we are rewarded with a solid take and a perfect hookup. Makes ya grin a lot. But, fish don't always act like we would like them to.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There have been some good observations and suggestions already offered. To what has been posted so far, I would like to make a generalization. That is that fish strike according to "triggers". Those triggers can be affected by water temp and clarity, light conditions, most common food source and just the overall "mode" of the fish...active, inactive or neutral.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Triggers can be in the form of sight, smell, action, size, color patterns, etc. Sometimes the fish key in on specific sizes, colors and actions...based upon their current preferred food source. Other times something purely "representational" will get the job done. "Match the hatch" vs "close enough". This is often the case with flies...something about the same size, shape and color will catch non-descriminating fish. Other days, unless you are smack spang on, you don't get more than an occasional looksee from the fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All of this affects how the fish whack your lure or fly. When they are actively feeding, and your offering is "close enough", you have a better chance of getting a solid take. If the fish are in a neutral or negative mode, you have to use a fly or lure...fished the right way...to induce a "reaction bite". It can be like teasing a cat with a string. They aren't really in a feeding mode, but will take a whack at something attractive even though they don't open their mouths all the way and gulp it down. Sometimes they only nip at the tail end. Other times they may do nothing more than bump it with their noses and do not even open their mouths.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have a whole series of ploys and tactics I institute when the fish are there and playing hard to get...or striking short. First is varying the speed of the retrieve. Sometimes they want a slower retrieve, or will smack it while it is sinking slowly after a complete stop. Other times they want a faster retrieve, to trigger the predatory instinct...hammer it before it gets away. On still other occasions they want an erratic retrieve...stop, start, stop, wiggle, lift, drop or whatever. Once you try something and get a solid take, keep doing it until you prove that it was a fluke.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have watched programs that show how fish take trolled flies and lures, from an underwater camera mounted on a downrigger. It is amazing how many times a fish will follow the fly or lure for a long ways, without ever hitting it. It's also amazing how sometimes when an S turn, a sudden stop or drop back or a quick speedup will trigger a striking response. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Once I started fishing flies for bluegill, I became a better fly fisherman for trout. An old timer showed me how to point the rod directly at the fly and to strip the line in while maintaining complete "touch". Bluegill are notorious for coming up behind a fly, sucking it in and spitting it out without the angler ever knowing they were there. If you become attuned to detecting any change in "the force", you just give a little extra pull on the line hand. If there is resistance, then make a lift with the rod hand to set the hook and join the battle. If you do not feel the fish with the line hand, speed up the stripping to get the fish to hit again...harder. That works with trout too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are a million other variables to employ when the fish are finicky and hitting short. Clipping the tail is one often-effective tactic. Going to a smaller (or slightly larger) size is another. Sometimes tieing on something more visible and brighter colored will trigger more reaction bites. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I like to troll flies from my tube, especially when using a full sinker to dredge the depths. Keeps the flies down in the "zone" better and saves a lot of wear and tear on the old casting arm. But, I seldom just drag the flies along waiting for a stupid fish to hang itself. I am constantly doing something to try to add some enticement. Wiggling the rod tip can help. So can stopping once in awhile and doing a "shivver lift"...raising the rod tip while wiggling the rod. This imitates many forms of aquatic insects or other invertebrates that act that way when they head up off the bottom.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Missed strikes. If it becomes common, I adopt the advice from another old teacher. Don't try to set the hook on every bump. Just keep the fly or lure coming, at the same speed or slightly faster. Often you will get a series of several bumps before you feel weight. That is the time to set the hook.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If none of this works, welcome to fishing. Whenever you begin to think you have the fish all figured out, they will find a way to humble you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Is that enough words? At least 2 cents worth?[/#0000ff]
[signature]