sight-fishing. However, while these conditions are ideal, they don’t occur consistently, especially in Tasmania! It’s still possible to sight-fish under heavy cloud cover and in low light, you just need to work a little harder at it. Move more slowly and look intently for hints like movement and subtle flashes of colour from cruising fish. It can also help to vary your lens colour selection on duller days by choosing tints from the yellow, rose and brown ends of the spectrum, as well as opting for lenses that allow a higher level of light transmission.
SPOTTING CLUES
When sight fishing, don’t expect to always clearly see your target fish swimming happily about. Wild fish living in natural environments can be extremely hard to spot at first. Experienced sight fishers become adept at identifying the tiniest clues that often signpost the presence of fish. Subtle movements, suspicious shapes or patterns, shadows, dull flashes, ripples and fin tips momentarily breaking the surface are all key indicators of the presence of fish. Often you’ll home in on
Don’t expect fish to always stand out clearly. Can you see the large trout in this image? just a part of the fish rather than the entire animal. This might be the light-coloured mouth of a trout, or a darker V-shape on the trailing edge of a bream’s tail. Learn to recognize these clues.
SHALLOW THINKING
You’re an Angler, and no matter how many times you go fishing you’ll want to go again and no matter how many fish you catch (or nearly catch) it will never be enough. There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home. You’re hooked, along with us.
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Finally, remember that some of the finest sight-fishing opportunities encountered in both fresh and saltwater environments occur at extremely shallow depths, often hard up against the bank or shoreline. Many anglers are surprised to learn that even large fish will swim in water barely deep enough to cover their backs, especially early and late in the day. So don’t be too quick to wade in! Always start by visually scanning the very shallowest margins first, before gradually turning your attentions to deeper water. Remember these valuable tips and get out there this summer to give sight-fishing a serious crack. I guarantee you’ll be hooked! Starlo’s website portal www. fishotopia.com offers access to lots of nitty-gritty, how-to information like this, including detailed features on sight-fishing. Jump on, have a good look around and consider signing up for the free monthly newsletter, or taking advantage of the current offer of a month’s free subscription to Fishotopia’s “Inner Circle” membership-only area… You’ll find yourself in some great company!
