Tips & Trivia
Myths, legends, lies and other fishing facts
Flyfishing: 200 years of tradition unencumbered by progress.
Repeat a lie enough times and what do you have? Another lie. There are
numerous myths, legends and lies regarding trout and fishing for them. Here
are a few to chew on:
1.. Eyes on streamers provoke strikes. It is widely held that predatory
fish key in on and attack the eyes of bait fish. As "proof" many anglers
cite the presence of ocelli or false eyes near the tail of some fish. They
contend the predator will target these eyes and the attack will be directed
toward the tail.
Studies around the world with numerous species of fish show that that
predatory fish do not aim for the eyes. In every instance the mid section of
the prey was targeted. The size, shape, location, presence or lack of the
eyes (or ocelli) in no way altered the point of the attack.
Researchers have found that very often a predatory fish will not attack if
the eyes are visible. Time after time bass, pike and barracuda have been
observed rushing past available bait to take a fish with it's back turned.
It seems predators have learned they can get the jump on their prey when
it's not looking.
Ocelli located near the tail of bait fish may give the impression it is
"looking" when its back is turned and avoid being attacked. For the same
reason eyes on a streamer may actually be counter productive.
There is no doubt some flies are more effective with eyes than without.
Eyes can add both physical and visual balance to a fly. The eyes may add
just that certain bit of spark, brightness or contrast that makes the
pattern irresistible. In certain patterns, eyes impart action and even noise
to a streamer. Blanton's Whistlers and Clousser's Deep Minnows are good
examples; exchange the lead eyes on a Deep Minnow with plastic eyes and the
fly loses both it's jigging action and fish catching qualities.
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