science

Fly fishing articles tagged with science

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largemouth bass

How Largemouth Bass See Color: Insights for Fly Fishers

Can fish see color? Bass don't see our flies like you'd expect...

behavior

Do Other Fish Know When A Fish Gets Hooked? Social Learning in Trout, Carp, Bass and Pike

Let's talk about the social cues a group responds to, or doesn't respond to, when a fish gets hooked.

Members only

fish behavior

The Science of Rest: How Trout Recover from Angling Pressure

Do fish remember being caught? And how long would it take to reset the timid behavior of previously hooked fish throughout an entire fishery?

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largemouth bass Featured

Understanding Warmwater Lakes: How Ecology Shapes Bass Fishing Success

In warmwater fly fishing, especially bass fishing, we often just throw poppers and streamers with little emphasis on understanding the reasoning for these tactics

swim bladder

Swim Bladders and Pressure Changes: What Anglers Need to Know

Let's take a closer look at how fish swim bladders might be influenced by atmospheric pressure changes (ie; storms, cold fronts)

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conservation Featured

The Warmwater-Coldwater Connection: Why Warm Habitats Matter for Trout

Let's take a look at the surprising way that warmwater can support coldwater fisheries

Paid-members only

cutthroat history

How Did Cutthroat Trout Cross the Continental Divide?

Most cutthroat trout are found west of the Continental Divide, so how did they find their way to the east side of the divide? Science behind fly fishing

Paid-members only

cutthroat history Featured

The Story of the Cutthroat Trout Subspecies: Origins and Evolution

This is the story of how Cutthroat trout spread across western North America and transformed into their distinct variations

exploring

End of the Year Round Up: Best of 2022

We revisit the best of the best from 2022 slate of fly fishing articles.

cutthroat

The Cult of the Rainbow: When Invasive Trout Threaten Native Species

We simply don't need more rainbow trout, and rest assured, they aren't going anywhere. So don't be swayed by the cult of rainbow trout.

conservation concept

Conservation Concept: Tragedy of the Commons

For every angler, tragedy of the commons is a core concept you should know about

technical trout

Catch More Trout: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Every Angler

Fly fishing: Let's discuss everything from approaching the water, to rigging, flies, and dealing with picky trout.

steelhead

The Weird Biology of Half-Pounder Steelhead: Rare Rainbow Trout Variant

Fly fishing: Let's take a look at the weird biology of half-pounder Steelhead

terrestrials

Silver Linings Fly Box: Grasshoppers and Drought

Fly fishing: There is one interesting byproduct of the drought that could serve to favor trout anglers when fishing hoppers

cutthroat history

Native Trout South of the Border? Exploring Mexico's Sierra Madre Species

Native species of trout can be found in North America as far south as the tip of Baja California. Are these the rarest trout?

climate change

Western Trout Rivers: An Angler's Prospectus

Fly fishing: Out west, with years of lingering drought, and now reports of declining trout populations in the holy-waters of Montana...

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barometric pressure

Myth-Busting: The Barometric Pressure Debate

Lets look at the Barometric Pressure debate, one of the most enigmatic topics in fly fishing.

essential reads

End of the Year Round Up: Our Favorite Fly Fishing Stories from 2021

We revisit the best fly fishing articles from 2021. Covering topics from alpine ice-off to fish behavior.

Members only

behavior

The Dynamics of Fish Spooking: How Group Behavior Affects Catching Success

Why do fish spook? Why don't fish spook? Let's investigate.

behavior

Sibling Rivalry: How Brown and Rainbow Trout Behave When Sharing a Stream

Rainbow Trout vs Brown Trout , the Ultimate Battle

stillwater

Why Don't We See More Chartreuse in Stillwater Trout Flies?

Do you recall any chartreuse flies for trout when shopping at your average fly shop?

cutthroat

Using Nature’s Engineers: How Beaver Dams Slow Spring Runoff and Support Trout

Before civil engineering ever existed, there were animals shaping rivers across N. America. Have we forgotten the benefits they offer?

colorado

Raining Dust: How Airborne Particles Accelerate Alpine Snowmelt

We discuss a phenomenon that's causing earlier spring snowmelt

Paid-members only

alpine

Alpine Ice-Off: Predicting the Thaw for Spring Trout Fishing

caddisfly

Net Spinning Samaritans

Recent findings now reinforce what LaFontaine first introduced—caddisflies are more important than we first thought!