geartalk

Give Kids X-Ray Vision to Get Them Interested in Fishing

It took me a while, but finally realized after a few early rafting/fishing trips over a decade ago with my oldest, Mabel, that kids would probably be a whole lot more interested in fishing, if they could actually see the fish. It sounds silly that a dad who’s on the water all the time didn’t think of this sooner, but it’s true.  

I have two girls, one is 7; the other is 12. Recently while checking out the Raftopia event at Down River Equipment, I was introduced to their neighbor, Optic Nerve Sunglasses, who were showing off their wares at the event. I realized my youngest had never experienced the power of polarization. So, we bought a pair for $20.

Now, these aren’t your Smith Optics or Costa variety sunglasses, but the quality isn’t that bad. I figured what the heck, let’s give them a try.

It was a wise decision. She loved them before we even hit the water. She was twisting and turning her head to make the sky “more BLUUU” and loved taking the glare off the water and seeing everything down below. After she realized she could see some of the trout I was seeing, all she wanted to do was find more fish. That doesn’t mean she’s always fishing for them, but at least she interested in what’s happening below the water's surface. And that’s good enough for me.

So, if you’re struggling to figure out how to get your kiddo interested in fishing, do yourself a favor, a spend a little dough and get them a pair of polarized lenses.

Reading Water: Focus on the River’s Subtleties

Rock On

That rock in the middle of the river, or jutting off the bank, should always get your attention. Why? Because that slab of granite affects the flow of the river, altering the current and creating subtle microcurrents around it. From downstream, you’ll be able to see two distinct current lines to the right and left, where the water folds around the rock. Eventually, those currents merge like the bottom point of the letter “V.” That’s where cast number one should land, at the bottom of the “V.”

Your next casts should be right up the two current seams. The fish will usually be where the fast water meets the slower water. That dead spot right behind the rock might also be worth a cast or two, although the fish usually don’t tuck their noses right onto the stone.

Think about it. The food is washing downriver, packed into that seam where the current meets the slower water. The fish could swim out into the heavy water, but that takes energy, and the insects there are moving by at a quicker pace. If you were a fish, wouldn’t you hang out where you have to use as little energy as possible to hold your position, especially when the buffet is churning right there?

Pillow Talk

Trout like hanging out behind rocks, but it’s always worth looking in front of them as well. The hydraulic effects of water rushing downstream and pressing against a rock create a small backwave in front of the rock. Call it a cushion or pillow, but a smart (often big) trout can ride that wave just like a surfer on a board, expending little energy, and reaping the benefits of seeing and eating insects as they wash downstream.

Never leave a rock without at least making a cast or two on the front side.

Rob the Banks

The Yellowstone River is one of the last great undammed waterways in the West, and in many anglers’ opinions, the ultimate trout river. Fishing the Yellowstone with author and guide Kim Leighton for several days (many years ago) was a particularly enlightening experience, because he taught me the importance of adhering to the banks when targeting casts. Although the mighty Yellowstone is wider than a four-lane highway in some areas, it is amazing how much of the trout population can be found within feet, if not inches, of its banks.

The reason is simple: Trout find cover such as rocky outcroppings and fallen logs along the banks. They are less exposed to predators such as eagles and herons, especially when compared to the open currents in the middle of the river. They also find plenty of natural forage, including sculpins and grass-hoppers, close to the banks.

A trout angler should concentrate on “robbing” the banks. Whether fishing from a boat in a downstream direction, or wading upstream, your fist focus should always be tight to the bank. Watch where you step. Fix your attention on the bank, and work your way out toward the middle of the river, covering the bank-outward as you cast and move.

The Bowline Knot: A Useful Boat Knot

A couple of years ago, I brought a brand new Tornado Anchor to test on the Arkansas River for a couple of rowdy, early-season days of float fishing.

The problem was, I hadn’t used this specific anchor line and set up in quite some time and never with this anchor. When I went to clip the carabiner to the new anchor, it was far too long and would’ve dragged in the water (both unsafe and really annoying). We needed to loose about 4-to-5 inches of line length on the set up.

So, what did we do?

We tied the rope directly to the anchor (see above) with a bowline knot. Why that knot? Specifically, because it can sustain heavy weight loads and at the same time, it’s pretty easy to unite after weight is applied. Perfect for a boat anchor.

It worked like a charm. After a long day of setting up in heavy currents, casting to rising fish, I simply pulled the knot apart and unhooked the anchor. Many other knots would have been difficult to undo after that much stress. So, do yourself a favor and learn what some call the king of boat knots for this situation, or any others, you might find yourself in while rowing rivers and hunting for fish.

As Captain Quint says about the bowline knot in the movie Jaws, “The little brown eel comes out of the cave, swims into the hole, comes out of the hole, goes back into the cave again...”

Hookset Timing: It Depends on How Deep the Fish Are 

Fish one river and see the trout rise to your fly–you miss the hookset and are told, “You’re not quick enough.” Fish somewhere else, and you seemingly rip the fly out of a trout’s mouth because you reacted too quickly.

This can be confusing and frustrating.

Tim Mosolf, the late legendary guide on Montana’s Beaverhead River, once told me, after I missed a fish, but ended up foul-hooking him in the anal fin, “Oh, that fish ate your fly, but he shit it out, because you’re too slow!” 

You can’t win, right?

Daniel Hackett, my Tasmanian guide pal, says we need to consider the depth of the water that the fish is in when we factor how quickly to set the hook. If the fish slinks up from a depth of six feet or so to suck down that dry fly, set it when it’s on its way back home, which means give a good pause. This is the situation when you might utter “God Save the Queen” before setting the hook, as our friends from those Commonwealth countries are famous for saying. 

A fish in skinny water, on the other hand, comes up to smack a dry, and you should give it the business right away. I don’t really understand why, but I know this works. Catching fish from deeper water with dries, pause longer on the strike. Fish in skinny water need immediate attention.

Photo credit: The late guide Tim Mosolf @ Liz Steketee Photography