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Merwin: Stocker Psychology
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The Honest Angler
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March 30, 2009
Merwin: Stocker Psychology
By John Merwin
Fishermen tend to categorize fish as smart or dumb according to how easy those fish are to catch. Freshly stocked hatchery trout are usually seen as dumb. But I think they’re not so much dumb as ignorant, having learned about nothing but hatchery food pellets.
An artfully tied nymph dead-drifted in front of a stocker’s nose might well be ignored because the fish has no idea it represents natural food. Something that’s bright, flashy, and wiggly, on the other hand, can trigger the fish’s natural instinct to attack. If I happen to be fishing a stocked trout stream early in the season, I’ll often use a bright marabou streamer fly or a flashy spinner rather than something more imitative for that reason.
Those stocked trout that survive the onslaught of opening-day weekend, on the other hand, learn very quickly and over a few weeks become much harder to catch. In that time, they’ve figured out what various natural foods look like and often respond better to an angler’s careful imitations.
I wonder, though, how smart trout really get. Does a brown trout in hard-fished water actually learn to spell “Mepps,” for example? Sometimes it seems that way. I’ve watched trout that I knew were stocked in April refuse the finest of dry flies in June. Do trout learn to hunker down when they hear the clunking oars of a driftboat? And does the drone of a slow-trolling outboard motor give the fish lockjaw? Maybe there’s no easy answer....
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Comments (13)
You're on to something, there, Mr. merwin. Fishermen just aren't quiet enough! On top of that fact, they also aren't careful enough with their hands. The best flies won't work when someone's hards are dirty.
When I have the opportunity to fish for stocked trout I like to throw a handful of pebbles into the water to imitate fish pellets being thrown like the fish have seen in the hatchery. The fish usally come running.
There is no doubt that stockers are not anywhere near their closely related put-grow-take brothers that are stocked at only a few inches and given time to develope some natural habits.
thats interesting about throwing the pebbles do you spook fish like that?
Trick 'em buckhunter!
I think the lesson learned here, is to soften up some pellets, toss in the pebbles, and present the pellet ... on the hook of course.
These trout are just uneducated city/pond dwellers, being released into the wild habitat, that demands a sharp learning curve, less they end up in an anglers cast iron skillet.
I'll bet they taste just as good though.
I think fish are absolutely tuned in to unnatural noises, or at least noises associated with fishermen. Some more so than others. All I really know is that some of my best days fishing involved canoes, kayaks, float tubes, and other stealthy vessels.
John I'm glad you presented this subject not as an elitist or purist to fishing but as a question. I don't foresee an opportunity to fish wild trout in upper wherever, but I fish plenty of stocked trout released into wild streams, and there is plenty of difference with the survivors downstream. Stocked trout are dumb for a day or two, and they are hungry. Those are the quick catches for the family and every one's happy. I take a few and then fish out of the park area. These other trout downstream are tough to catch, they have quickly learned and some have been there for years and some do reproduce surprisingly. I think nature and instincts kick in and it once again becomes man vs nature.
i'm sorry...i live in Montana. what are stocked trout??
I'll remember that when we're talking Whitetails. And Good ones! LOL
I've fished trout in many areas from Yellowstone to the rivers of Wisconsin and have had great sucess with artifical lures. I think it is all about the timing - when fish are hungry they will go for anything. Got Fish! LOL
Yes, you do have a point. My buddy and I used to go fishing well downstream from Bennet Springs. We never had any problem catching big fish, and a limit just using orange power bait balls molded onto a small treble hook. Not that hard. But then again we never really have trouble with catfish using chicken livers. Or, maybe we were just doing everything perfect. Yeah, that's probably it.
I've always wondered if your a better fisherman if you can catch the wild Western trout that rarely see a fly or the heavily fished Eastern cousins that are bombed by fisherman nearly everyday of their lives and can spot a fake a mile away?
buckhunter, that is a good point. What is the difference between a wild trout being presented with an easy and unaccustomed meal and a stocked trout who sees it every day and can take his choice?
very true i am just getting in to trout fishing here in maryland.
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You're on to something, there, Mr. merwin. Fishermen just aren't quiet enough! On top of that fact, they also aren't careful enough with their hands. The best flies won't work when someone's hards are dirty.
When I have the opportunity to fish for stocked trout I like to throw a handful of pebbles into the water to imitate fish pellets being thrown like the fish have seen in the hatchery. The fish usally come running.
There is no doubt that stockers are not anywhere near their closely related put-grow-take brothers that are stocked at only a few inches and given time to develope some natural habits.
thats interesting about throwing the pebbles do you spook fish like that?
Trick 'em buckhunter!
I think the lesson learned here, is to soften up some pellets, toss in the pebbles, and present the pellet ... on the hook of course.
These trout are just uneducated city/pond dwellers, being released into the wild habitat, that demands a sharp learning curve, less they end up in an anglers cast iron skillet.
I'll bet they taste just as good though.
I think fish are absolutely tuned in to unnatural noises, or at least noises associated with fishermen. Some more so than others. All I really know is that some of my best days fishing involved canoes, kayaks, float tubes, and other stealthy vessels.
John I'm glad you presented this subject not as an elitist or purist to fishing but as a question. I don't foresee an opportunity to fish wild trout in upper wherever, but I fish plenty of stocked trout released into wild streams, and there is plenty of difference with the survivors downstream. Stocked trout are dumb for a day or two, and they are hungry. Those are the quick catches for the family and every one's happy. I take a few and then fish out of the park area. These other trout downstream are tough to catch, they have quickly learned and some have been there for years and some do reproduce surprisingly. I think nature and instincts kick in and it once again becomes man vs nature.
i'm sorry...i live in Montana. what are stocked trout??
I'll remember that when we're talking Whitetails. And Good ones! LOL
I've fished trout in many areas from Yellowstone to the rivers of Wisconsin and have had great sucess with artifical lures. I think it is all about the timing - when fish are hungry they will go for anything. Got Fish! LOL
Yes, you do have a point. My buddy and I used to go fishing well downstream from Bennet Springs. We never had any problem catching big fish, and a limit just using orange power bait balls molded onto a small treble hook. Not that hard. But then again we never really have trouble with catfish using chicken livers. Or, maybe we were just doing everything perfect. Yeah, that's probably it.
I've always wondered if your a better fisherman if you can catch the wild Western trout that rarely see a fly or the heavily fished Eastern cousins that are bombed by fisherman nearly everyday of their lives and can spot a fake a mile away?
buckhunter, that is a good point. What is the difference between a wild trout being presented with an easy and unaccustomed meal and a stocked trout who sees it every day and can take his choice?
very true i am just getting in to trout fishing here in maryland.
Post a Comment