| When you first start fly fishing, one of the | | | | to the shadows. This is typically along the |
| first lessons you will learn is the rules | | | | shore with over grown foliage. Other optimal |
| related to light. Simply put, fish stay away | | | | areas can be under trees, rocks or banks |
| from the light. | | | | along the shore. If you take the time to look |
| | | | around, you will start to see unique spots |
| Fly Fishing - Stay Away From The Light! | | | | that offer excellent prospects. As you might |
| | | | guess, early morning and late afternoon are |
| Fly fishing a stream is unique in that there | | | | also excellent times to cast given the fact |
| are many factors that go into success. Water | | | | the light tends to dim. |
| conditions, temperatures, fly choice and so | | | | |
| on all come to mind. One of the more basic | | | | Regardless of the above, there is one area |
| issues is the contrast of dark and light on | | | | where you should always avoid shadows when |
| the water. Specifically, fish have a thing | | | | casting. No, you will not see them when |
| about the light from above. | | | | sizing up the shoreline. Instead, you need to |
| | | | look at your feet. Yep, your own shadow. When |
| In general, fish avoid areas of water exposed | | | | on the shoreline or water, you need to |
| to the sun. Yes, you can find them in a sunny | | | | control the direction of your shadow. If you |
| part of a stream or river, but they prefer to | | | | are fishing in overgrown vegetation off the |
| swim in the shadows. The simple reason is | | | | shore, your shadow cannot fall across it. If |
| they are more visible in the areas of water | | | | this occurs, the fish are going to associate |
| exposed to the sun. Since most fish predators | | | | it with a moving predator such as a bear or, |
| are coming from above, evolution has taught | | | | in the case of smarter fish, humans! |
| the fish that the sunny areas are dangerous | | | | |
| areas. When the fish do stray into the sun, | | | | When you head out for a bit of fly fishing, |
| they tend to stay deep since birds have | | | | take note of the light. Understand it and you |
| difficulty diving deep. | | | | will do well. Misunderstand it and, |
| | | | ironically, you will end up in the dark. |
| When looking for fishing spots, try to stick | | | | |