Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Author: John Hudgens, Director, Instructor
Have you ever fished with someone who you consider to be “fishy”? I’m talking about the angler who is just different; the angler who always knows where to go, when to go there, and meets with success. Of the many characteristics of a “fishy” person, perhaps the most fundamental of these is the ability to understand the rhythm of the river. The rhythm of a river can be described as the fishing trends a given river reveals over time in response to insect hatches and weather patterns.
There are plenty of people who think that good fishing exists in a vacuum, and that there's no real reason why fishing would be “on” or “off.” I suppose there is some validity to this mindset, but I am of the belief that there’s always a logical explanation for good or poor fishing. And it seems as though the most successful guides and anglers on the water are using their powers of observation and knowledge of the rhythms of that river to inform their fishing decisions day after day. But what exactly are they looking for? What are they paying attention to?
We all know that water temperature dictates insect activity, and insect activity controls fish behavior. There are numerous factors that affect water temperature, such as air temperature, sunshine, clouds, rain, water flows, spring water influences, tributaries, and other considerations specific to any given river. During each day and through the seasons, there are rivers that need to warm up and others that need to cool off for the bugs to move and become active–and prompt the fish to respond favorably. In most cases, water temperatures are optimal for just a brief portion of the day.
Finding that optimal water temperature is crucial to success on the water. But beyond the daily fluctuations in water temperature, there are seasonal trends that are important to pay attention to. For instance, a river may fish outstanding in the afternoons during the month of April, but the same river will fish poorly in the afternoons during the month of August. This is because the water temperatures are, of course, completely different when comparing these months. To find active fish on that same river in August, anglers will need to adjust their daily fishing time to early in the morning and again towards the evening to find optimal water temperatures and active fish.
As a rule, when the fishing is good, it rarely stays good for long (perhaps this is nature’s way of keeping us on our toes?). However, there will always be a few special days each season when the conditions produce the kind of water temperatures that trigger a variety of insects to emerge throughout the day, thus prompting trout to feed consistently and enthusiastically all day long. And these are the kind of days that we, as anglers, live for.
Generally speaking, most aquatic insects become active when the water measures between 48 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, each species of insect is triggered to emerge within its own smaller temperature range (for example, Green Drakes hatch when the water temperature ranges between 54 to 58 degrees, while some early-season stoneflies prefer cooler water between 48 and 52 degrees). Understanding these triggers and knowing the insect species that are living in the rivers you fish will typically guide you to the right place at the right time.
Naturally, any angler would like to know when fishing is going to be good, but another important reason we pay attention to these natural rhythms is that they also allow us to know when fishing is likely to be slow. If one understands that they are fishing during a time of day or during a season that is typically slow and challenging, that information helps them set realistic expectations for themselves and for any anglers they’re with. Understanding the rhythm of a given river helps you make decisions as to how best to use your time and target trout most effectively. Acquiring this understanding is not always an easy task. It often requires hard-earned knowledge of the larger factors at play in a fishing scenario, both environmental and situational. Unfortunately, the average angler doesn’t always have the time to study the rhythm of a river they are experiencing for the first time, which is why it is essential to have astute observational skills and a keen awareness of the various factors that affect aquatic insects on a seasonal, daily, and even hourly basis.
We all want to be successful anglers and enjoy the sport of fly fishing outdoors. Following these three guidelines can help gain a new perspective on where the fish will be, when the insects will be active, and how to read the natural rhythm of the river.
At Anglers Academy, we know that the ability to detect the almost undetectable nuances of a given river is what separates the good anglers from the great anglers. And our job is to advance our students to that next echelon of fly fishing excellence (or “fishiness”). At its core, Anglers Academy is an educational program designed for fly fishing enthusiasts who are eager to take their game to the next level and who appreciate the fact that there is no limit to learning. Our curriculum is comprehensive and thorough, with a great emphasis on the fundamentals of the casting stroke as well as the other topics that allow disciples of the sport to achieve a deeper understanding of fly fishing as both a recreational pursuit and as a philosophy. We believe that the little things matter and that an intimate understanding of the rhythm of the river is one of the means to achieve the highest level of enjoyment with the sport. After a week in our program, we’d bet our favorite fly box that you’ll agree.
