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Merwin: Look at Flowers, Catch More Fish
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May 27, 2009
Merwin: Look at Flowers, Catch More Fish
Here’s an arcane branch of fishing lore that you don’t hear much about but which I’m sure is more prevalent than most people think. It’s called Phenology, which is simply the study of how the timing of various animal or plant life-cycle events relate to one another. Paying a little attention to this can actually help you catch a few more fish.
As one example, when the shadbush (shown) is in blossom along northeastern trout streams, Hendrickson mayflies start emerging. So when I see that tree in flower, I know not only that it’s time to get on down to the river but also what fly patterns to take along. The timing of fly hatches and flowering plants are both subject to changing seasonal weather patterns that vary from year to year, which is why one very handily predicts the other.
There’s more to this than just hatching bugs. Blossoming lilacs, for example, mean that anadromous American shad are starting to stack up behind dams on the upper Connecticut River near here. So it’s time to go shad fishing. Apple blossoms here coincide with the first waves of migrating striped bass along south-coastal Massachusetts farther south. It’s all kind of a country boy’s fishing predictor. You might well know of some others, so let’s hear ‘em....
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Comments (8)
I kept detailed records of plants and hatches from 1989-1992. I had purchased a log book from Orvis and took it everywhere I went. I fished a lot more back then until raising a family took over. It's nice to glance back and see what was going on years ago.
My country boy predictor is, if the bucks are rutting, its time to go steelheading.
After a long winter and cabin fever is at its utmost limits, my wife's NAG goes into high gear. That is my most important indicator that it is time to go fishing. I have not been able to get her nag to coincide with the most successful fishing of the season, but at that point, any fishing will do!
Honestly, though, this is a great article- I am looking forward to reading what people have to say. The indicators I have used most are annual weather cycles and hatches- like fishing high alpine lakes in early spring just after the ice clears when the ONLY thing the cuts will hit is a no. 16 (+/-) black gnat.
I am a high school football coach, and the end of the football season marks the beginning of hunting season for me. I am always torn between hoping to win games in the playoffs, and hoping for time to spend chasing whitetails and rabbits. I think football should be a spring sport so it doesn't interfere with hunting season.
When I see the forsythia bush blooming in all of her glory, I know it's time to wet a line.
As the warbler starts to protect her nest, it is probably a good sign that the bluegills are defending their nest too.
The radiance and glow of the burning bush in full bloom, is a good indicator that deer season has drawn nigh, and my nostrils are filled with the burning of wood, as someone stands at the hearth stoking a fire.
And ... when it's 5-o'clock anywhere, it's time to get happier!
When persimmons begin to ripen find a tree along a stream or river, cats love eating them.
In the South when the Dogwood trees are blooming there is not a better time to bass fish.
My little hint is simple... once the lovebugs are making a mess all over your car, you know what color and kind of flies to be tying/using...
I had a friend tell me that when Dogwoods start blooming the catfish start hitting extremely well. he said thats when they are starting the spawn. im not a big catfisherman so i havent tested the theory but my friend knows his catfishing.
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After a long winter and cabin fever is at its utmost limits, my wife's NAG goes into high gear. That is my most important indicator that it is time to go fishing. I have not been able to get her nag to coincide with the most successful fishing of the season, but at that point, any fishing will do!
Honestly, though, this is a great article- I am looking forward to reading what people have to say. The indicators I have used most are annual weather cycles and hatches- like fishing high alpine lakes in early spring just after the ice clears when the ONLY thing the cuts will hit is a no. 16 (+/-) black gnat.
I kept detailed records of plants and hatches from 1989-1992. I had purchased a log book from Orvis and took it everywhere I went. I fished a lot more back then until raising a family took over. It's nice to glance back and see what was going on years ago.
My country boy predictor is, if the bucks are rutting, its time to go steelheading.
I am a high school football coach, and the end of the football season marks the beginning of hunting season for me. I am always torn between hoping to win games in the playoffs, and hoping for time to spend chasing whitetails and rabbits. I think football should be a spring sport so it doesn't interfere with hunting season.
When I see the forsythia bush blooming in all of her glory, I know it's time to wet a line.
As the warbler starts to protect her nest, it is probably a good sign that the bluegills are defending their nest too.
The radiance and glow of the burning bush in full bloom, is a good indicator that deer season has drawn nigh, and my nostrils are filled with the burning of wood, as someone stands at the hearth stoking a fire.
And ... when it's 5-o'clock anywhere, it's time to get happier!
When persimmons begin to ripen find a tree along a stream or river, cats love eating them.
In the South when the Dogwood trees are blooming there is not a better time to bass fish.
My little hint is simple... once the lovebugs are making a mess all over your car, you know what color and kind of flies to be tying/using...
I had a friend tell me that when Dogwoods start blooming the catfish start hitting extremely well. he said thats when they are starting the spawn. im not a big catfisherman so i havent tested the theory but my friend knows his catfishing.
Post a Comment