The Dynamics of Fish Spooking

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

Releasing a Rainbow trout from the Pueblo Tailwater, Colorado
Releasing a Rainbow trout from the Pueblo Tailwater, Colorado

December 2021

Regardless of your target species, you’re going to spook a fish at some point. This isn't the worst thing in the trout world, but if you’re hunting for carp or bonefish, spooking a fish ruins a valuable opportunity. Let's examine some fish behavior to figure out why a fish might spook.