Journey Through Fly: Part 12 – Intimacy With Your Fishing Hole
By: The Angler
I was recently in a training class via Zoom and got to know another angler. During the break we talked about fishing and how fishing made him more aware of our natural environment. He is a fly angler. His father taught him to fish and his method of fishing is fly fishing. Since a young boy, the understanding of nature has been ingrained in him.
[ Intimacy in this context simply mean that we get to know our fishing holes better… ]
Having to follow his dad around ponds and lakes around the areas where he lives (England), he picked up a good number of good things. One big thing he learnt that helped him a lot when it comes to fishing is life; not just any life but the life of a lake or pond. Having need to understand how nature works in order to be able to catch more fish, helped him appreciate nature.
Sebaraus swimming about the shallow area of a lake.
When it comes to fly fishing, one term that we very often hear about is matching the hatch, or match the hatch. This we must do to help us ascertain what or rather which fly patterns to use when we are fishing. The thing here is that the hatch (insects) changes. Also there are other things that will affect our fishing and they include seasons, weather, etc. Hence, the word intimacy came to play.
Intimacy in this context simply mean that we get to know our fishing holes better. This is where we spend a lot more time at our favourite fishing holes throughout the year observing the as much as we can what goes on, how different things react to each other. An example is how a certain type of plant bloom brings about certain types of insects of which the fishes in the pond, lake, river, etc. eats.
A grasshopper; one of the insects found near a pond. Good bait for the fishes in the pond. A good fly pattern for this pond in particular.
Yes, we can say that in England (or perhaps where he lives in) it is easier to do so. I agree, as he lives near some of the ponds or lakes. But the same principle applies here too. We may live further away from our favourite fishing holes but a better understanding and getting intimate with your fishing hole will definitely improve your fishing.
So, this here is what I deduced from the conversation that I had with my fellow classmate.
- Find out what plants are found in your favourite fishing hole.
- Notice and learn about the insects that live on / or with these plants.
- Research the lifecycle of these insects.
- Use these insects as bait first to see if the fishes do indeed take them. If they do, make flies that look like them.
- Notice how the changing seasons or weather affects these plants and insects.
- Notice changes in the flora and fauna as the seasons / or weather changes.
- Also note the condition of the water with the changes. Could it have gotten more acidic or alkaline, etc.
Some flies tied to match the hatch.
There are more to observe and the more you know, the better your fishing will be. But, and this is a big BUT; bring your kids along with you and teach them to fish as well as to observe. Perhaps get them to photograph the plants or insects for you (to get them interested in nature as well), or get them to just simply play with these insects. This will not only build stronger bonds but also help them create a strong appreciation for nature.
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