When fish are rising, check what they are actually eating before matching a fly; surface insects seen nearby may not be
When fish are rising, check what they are actually eating before matching a fly; surface insects seen nearby may not be
Filters
- Topic: Reading water and presentation
- Original category: Presentation and Drift
- Species: Trout
- Water: Not stated
- Region: Not stated
- Skill level: Advanced
Tip
Tip: When fish are rising, check what they are actually eating before matching a fly; surface insects seen nearby may not be the target
How to do it: Before matching a fly to a rise, verify the actual food item, because nearby surface insects may not be what fish are eating
Mistake it fixes: Assuming nearby surface insects are the target food
Why it works: Fish may feed on a different insect than the one most visible to the angler. Verifying the food prevents matching the wrong insect.
When it matters most: Rising fish, entomology