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| Michigan's Grand River's 6th Street Dam in Winter after a Thaw |
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Each river ecosystem presents a unique set of
variable that must be accounted for in order for an angler to place themselves
in an optimal position for success during every outing. Just like market
research is undertaken when a company considers launching a new product or
service research on a stream provides the same information on how to position
yourself in the marketplace.
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Most angles do not take biology into
consideration when heading out on a stream to fish, however it should be the
first thing to consider before any fly, lure, or tackle is placed in the water.
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Just like a young child that asks “why” about
everything – an informed angler must do the same thing! Some examples of
typical “Why” questions include:
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Why am I fishing this particular spot?
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Why did I place this bait on my line?
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| Winter Male Michigan Steelhead From the Rogue River |
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Why are the fish positioned where they are?
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Why are other fisherman using what they are?
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Why are the fish eating what they are eating?
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These are just a few of the large number of
variables that a fishery researcher will consider. In addition, the river
itself holds many questions, such as:
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What is the river made out of?
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What is the primary fish in the river?
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When do fish come into the river?
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What is the natural reproduction rate for
certain types of fish in this river.
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How far do fish travel in this river?
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How long do the fish stay in the river?
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What is the geographic makeup of the surrounding
area?
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What do fish feed on during their spawning run?
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What type of insects are present in the stream?
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The answer to these questions are all combined
to make up a strategic fishing plan for the river. Strategy is a concept that
is often used in the business world to describe a set of steps a company will
undertake to achieve a goal – often called strategic planning. The same concept
is essential for success in a Steelhead or Salmon outing. As the cliche says
goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
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Too many anglers just show up to a stream, place
a bait on their line, and off they go to begin fishing, however if you don’t
want to place your time, energy, and success on the water in jeopardy it’s time
to become more scientific in your approach.
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In the next article we will discuss the use of
each of these research questions and how they specifically impact angler
success.
Tight Lines!
J.Crane
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