Photo by Sandy Hays
Watch a heron stalk its prey in the shallows of a pond or a river, and you can clearly see why stealth is so important to anglers of all kinds. Yet many fly fishermen still act as if the fish were deaf, blind, and stupid, which keeps anglers from having the kind of success they desperately want. A good fly fisher is always aware of his surroundings and how his place in them may be tipping off the fish that something’s amiss. Here are five ways you can be more like that heron:
1. Blend in
This starts with your fishing clothes. Try to wear stuff that’s drab and won’t set you off against the streamside background. You don’t need full turkey-hunting camo, but wear both a shirt and hat of neutral colors.
2. Don’t be flashy
That hemostat looks great dangling from your vest, but it reflects the sun on a bright day. If anything on your person is sending out such signals, tuck it in a pocket or attach it under your vest.
3. Keep a low profile
Trout can detect movement along the banks, so if you crouch (or even crawl, when necessary) as you approach a good lie, you’ll increase your chances of moving under the radar.
4. Watch your shadows
Don’t let your shadow, or that of your fly line, fall over the fish. Since many of their predators come from above, fish are terrified of shadows. Position yourself relative to the sun to keep shadows away from good lies.
5. Slow Down
If you walk, wade, and move more slowly, you’ll make less noise and less commotion in the water, and you’re less likely to alert your quarry of your presence.
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