Unless you are fishing gin clear spring creeks and attempting to spot holding fish you, like me, are probably moving about a stream looking at probable holding water based on currents and structures in the water. We know not to wade carelessly and maybe we consider the finish on that fly rod (maybe a matte finish) or not to wear to flashy of clothing. We do have a sense of a trout’s vision and sense of vibrations.
I have written a couple prior posts here at SwittersB & Fly Fishing that provided excellent information re a trout’s vision and color perceptions. Query in the search box (‘trout vision’) to the right (below The Versatile Blogger icon) and you will locate those prior posts.
Today, I am sharing some basic info for the beginner or a refresher for others about a trout’s senses and how to move against those senses.
SwittersB & Exploring 
hiya !
that graph is a great way to get a general understanding but it’s basically impossible to come to any predictable conclusions. fish don’t just sit there and move in various planes, this changes their perspectives.
the angle of the cone of vision changes if they move up or down in the water column.
and something hardly if ever mentioned is that the slightest ripple of the water surface greatly distorts any image like those bent mirrors in a fair or circus. have a look at my series ‘fish portraits’ and just look at the reflections behind/above the fish. sometimes the reflections shows the other side of the fish ! B-)
of course, the camera’s angle greatly influences the image’s result but we’ll also notice that what we see most is the reflections of what’s below the surface and not what’s above.
anyhow, realizing that we can’t know for sure what fish see has taken away a lot of frustration and has made me a happier and somewhat better fisher 😀
marc
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Marc for someone that really likes the magic of water you sure muddied my water! 🙂 Well, you are right re the multitude of angles and views as the fish moves about. I hold onto a faint view that the survival response re the fish’s predators (birds) makes them somewhat alert to overhead movements…say the rod/line waving about over head. Otherwise I forgo walking about on my knees etc.
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haha ! this kind of mud is magic !
just to continue on these thoughts, i’m quite convinced the fish continually adapt their manner of looking out for prey as they move around (it’s a matter of survival) but there’s the ripple/current effects of the water they can’t ‘adapt’ to as it’s a continuously changing and unpredictable element. it’s not just being able to see through or not or the various ever-changing reflections of images that wouldn’t be there if their world was crystal-clear but also of light transmission and that light transmission continuously changing directions.
what a mess ! but that’s good thing for us ! (at least some times) ;D
marc
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Awesome post! Just awesome!
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Thank you, as always, for dropping by.
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My mate Gordon used to say that “you should always cast to specific fish, whether you could see them or not.” That sounds oxymoronic but in reality is a good ploy. By casting to where you would expect a fish and imagining that it is there (even should it turn out not to be) you are effectively stalking trout all the time and remain more focused as a result. Not only does this raise your effectiveness but equally adds a new dimension to your fishing even should you not be fortunate enough to be on gin clear water. Thanks as always for the interesting blogs.
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my computer wont let me push “like” for some reason and its a new computer-I alwayslook at your blog, even though im not a fisherwoman….thanks for lloking at mine. aany idea what might be wrong with my “like” button”? oh, well best wishes beebeesworld
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Always appreciate your visits. I believe the Like button only works if you have created a WordPress username/password…not necessarily a blog site. Also, the recently made a change (a crappy change in my estimation) that excludes from view many that like a post. It is noted and logged but the icon of the Like minded visitor is only displayed for a few of the visitors. No biggy I spose….again thank you for taking the time to visit….much appreciated.
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