Anonymous
09-04-2003, 12:03 PM
The relationship between transitional fish and structure during low light periods and bright sun.
I prefer to fish just above the estuary for several reasons. Fresh fish, less people, fish tend to stay more concentrated, not as educated and harder fighting fish. I prefer to fish to the A.M. run and not concern myself with what came in the day before. With fewer anglers, the alternative option to fish several holes or more is always present with the added bonus of less fishing pressure. We all know that wherever you fish in the world, fresh or Salt, the most crowded areas are the places most easily accessible. I feel fishing in a relaxed, uncrowded area enhances the quality of the experience for myself as well as my clients. Even if it means a few less fish.
Where to fish? --This covers all species of fish that are in a transitional stage that are entering the river. Most fish use the contour of the bottom and current to navigate. They travel virtually the same route, day after day taking a lot of the guesswork out of it. (Where I sight fish for Stripers, Monomoy Island-Cape Cod on the flats, this is also true.) Normally the deepest part of the river is where they will travel. Once you?ve made this determination, the next step is to search out their holding, resting points. The length of time they will hold in any particular type of structure is determined by the size of the hole, pocket, depth, speed of water and what they had to travel through to get to that point. Also fishing pressure and weather is a consideration. To narrow your search down for the best spots, consider any deep water just above a long stretch of rapids. These normally are the tails of pools were there is rippled water and depth to offer security, and a break from stronger currents. These are the areas were they will be for the longest period of time allowing you the most shots. To improve your odds even further, look for channels or areas where the majority of fish travel and hold in a small area of the tail end of the hole.
Now you know where I fish. Not only will you have 90% of the fish passing by in a narrow area offering you the opportunity to present your fly to almost every fish, but you?ll also have them sitting in front of you for the longest period of time, allowing the best odds in the house for hooking up! I call these areas funnels. Other areas to look for are heads of pools, white water on a sunny day or when the water temperature is so high the oxygen level is low. Depressions on the river bottom were they could hide underneath the faster current. Pocket water, surrounded by rapids. Outside bends in the river combined with a depression.
Remember to fish the resting, holding area?s during the run, which is normally during low light periods. Look (fish) for them in the shade, deep rippled water, white pocket water during the high noon sun. If heavy fishing pressure is present, fish for them in the white water.
If you remember that 90% of the fish swim in 10% of the river, you will do just fine. If this helps just one of you tie into that fish of a lifetime then I'm happy!
Best Fish's,
Randy Jones
www.yankeeangler.com
I prefer to fish just above the estuary for several reasons. Fresh fish, less people, fish tend to stay more concentrated, not as educated and harder fighting fish. I prefer to fish to the A.M. run and not concern myself with what came in the day before. With fewer anglers, the alternative option to fish several holes or more is always present with the added bonus of less fishing pressure. We all know that wherever you fish in the world, fresh or Salt, the most crowded areas are the places most easily accessible. I feel fishing in a relaxed, uncrowded area enhances the quality of the experience for myself as well as my clients. Even if it means a few less fish.
Where to fish? --This covers all species of fish that are in a transitional stage that are entering the river. Most fish use the contour of the bottom and current to navigate. They travel virtually the same route, day after day taking a lot of the guesswork out of it. (Where I sight fish for Stripers, Monomoy Island-Cape Cod on the flats, this is also true.) Normally the deepest part of the river is where they will travel. Once you?ve made this determination, the next step is to search out their holding, resting points. The length of time they will hold in any particular type of structure is determined by the size of the hole, pocket, depth, speed of water and what they had to travel through to get to that point. Also fishing pressure and weather is a consideration. To narrow your search down for the best spots, consider any deep water just above a long stretch of rapids. These normally are the tails of pools were there is rippled water and depth to offer security, and a break from stronger currents. These are the areas were they will be for the longest period of time allowing you the most shots. To improve your odds even further, look for channels or areas where the majority of fish travel and hold in a small area of the tail end of the hole.
Now you know where I fish. Not only will you have 90% of the fish passing by in a narrow area offering you the opportunity to present your fly to almost every fish, but you?ll also have them sitting in front of you for the longest period of time, allowing the best odds in the house for hooking up! I call these areas funnels. Other areas to look for are heads of pools, white water on a sunny day or when the water temperature is so high the oxygen level is low. Depressions on the river bottom were they could hide underneath the faster current. Pocket water, surrounded by rapids. Outside bends in the river combined with a depression.
Remember to fish the resting, holding area?s during the run, which is normally during low light periods. Look (fish) for them in the shade, deep rippled water, white pocket water during the high noon sun. If heavy fishing pressure is present, fish for them in the white water.
If you remember that 90% of the fish swim in 10% of the river, you will do just fine. If this helps just one of you tie into that fish of a lifetime then I'm happy!
Best Fish's,
Randy Jones
www.yankeeangler.com