Post by sinkingtip on Nov 28, 2007 17:46:22 GMT
A huge subject gentlemen and the ONE that, perhaps more than others, will define the difference between success and failure for a lot of fishers over time. For fear of simply regurgitating what others have said, I believe that common sense, good eyesight and the ability to 'think like a fish' are the main ingredients for successful "reading" with the latter being by far the most important.
Thinking like a fish, and before the obvious quips start to flood in, is continuously reminding yourself of what salmo salar is probably up to at any given time of year, water height and temperature. It might be obvious to 'experienced' anglers but those knew to this wonderful sport have to remind themselves of facts such as 'spring' fish are energy conscious and by that I mean they enter the river during Jan - April and, as a general rule, have nothing on their minds other than getting through the next 7-9 months on their energy reserves gained through a voracious feeding regime whilst at sea.
Therefore, in my opinion, you seek out the calm waters (not dead waters), small bay's, edges of runs, pool tails (but not too far down the tail as, as we are all aware, the strength of current can be pretty powerful - too powerful - in the last 30 yds or so in most big river tails). Avoid heavy turbulent water. LOOK at what the character of the water is like immediately below the pool you are trying to 'read' - maybe the water below you is thin / shallow, with no obvious features or that it is a turbulent cauldron.
THINK where this fish has traveled from and what, for it, would make an ideal 'resting' spot. We are talking mainly about springers here and due to the fact that early season fish tend to keep a low profile and not identify their whereabouts quite so readily as grilse, summer or back-end fish then this is where the ability to read water becomes paramout....in my humble opinion.
In low summer conditions when the river is at its bare bones I tend to kill a lot of time by LOOKING at, or wading through, pools paying particular attention to the riverbed contours, identifying boulders and pots, getting an accurate indication of depths and whether or not the pool has changed as a result of winter floods. I pay particular attention also to the waters edge paths and the water immediately out from the bank to the distance of about a double handed rod's length as, in all probability, this is exactly where fish will be lying in higher water.
Obviously the more you get to know your water the easier it become to 'read' dependant on various seasonal/ temperature/height factors. When you have gained this knowledge and confidence in your own abilities you suddenly realise how SIMPLE and common sensical it all becomes.
As a general, and final, statement I believe that once you have developed this ability to read water that this knowledge can be quite easily transferred to other rivers and beats where you may not have had any previous experience coupled with the fact that there is no ghillie /guide/waterman and by that I mean although you might not have fished a certain pool, beat or river you have, in all probability, fished water like it. Sure rivers vary - you cant compare the likes of the Ewe, Laxford or Gruinard with the vast swathes of pool common on rivers such as Tay, Dee, Spey, Tweed...........but the principles are the same. THINK like a fish and LOOK !! All will become obvious or less mysterious than you first imagined. .
What other advice do we have for honing our abilities to 'read' water ?
Thinking like a fish, and before the obvious quips start to flood in, is continuously reminding yourself of what salmo salar is probably up to at any given time of year, water height and temperature. It might be obvious to 'experienced' anglers but those knew to this wonderful sport have to remind themselves of facts such as 'spring' fish are energy conscious and by that I mean they enter the river during Jan - April and, as a general rule, have nothing on their minds other than getting through the next 7-9 months on their energy reserves gained through a voracious feeding regime whilst at sea.
Therefore, in my opinion, you seek out the calm waters (not dead waters), small bay's, edges of runs, pool tails (but not too far down the tail as, as we are all aware, the strength of current can be pretty powerful - too powerful - in the last 30 yds or so in most big river tails). Avoid heavy turbulent water. LOOK at what the character of the water is like immediately below the pool you are trying to 'read' - maybe the water below you is thin / shallow, with no obvious features or that it is a turbulent cauldron.
THINK where this fish has traveled from and what, for it, would make an ideal 'resting' spot. We are talking mainly about springers here and due to the fact that early season fish tend to keep a low profile and not identify their whereabouts quite so readily as grilse, summer or back-end fish then this is where the ability to read water becomes paramout....in my humble opinion.
In low summer conditions when the river is at its bare bones I tend to kill a lot of time by LOOKING at, or wading through, pools paying particular attention to the riverbed contours, identifying boulders and pots, getting an accurate indication of depths and whether or not the pool has changed as a result of winter floods. I pay particular attention also to the waters edge paths and the water immediately out from the bank to the distance of about a double handed rod's length as, in all probability, this is exactly where fish will be lying in higher water.
Obviously the more you get to know your water the easier it become to 'read' dependant on various seasonal/ temperature/height factors. When you have gained this knowledge and confidence in your own abilities you suddenly realise how SIMPLE and common sensical it all becomes.
As a general, and final, statement I believe that once you have developed this ability to read water that this knowledge can be quite easily transferred to other rivers and beats where you may not have had any previous experience coupled with the fact that there is no ghillie /guide/waterman and by that I mean although you might not have fished a certain pool, beat or river you have, in all probability, fished water like it. Sure rivers vary - you cant compare the likes of the Ewe, Laxford or Gruinard with the vast swathes of pool common on rivers such as Tay, Dee, Spey, Tweed...........but the principles are the same. THINK like a fish and LOOK !! All will become obvious or less mysterious than you first imagined. .
What other advice do we have for honing our abilities to 'read' water ?
