Old Duud

Are you wearing polarized sunglasses? They reduce the glare and sunlight on the water and help you to see fish and other objects underwater.  Also, most people do need to get their eyes checked and probably some glasses by the time they hit 45+.  Good luck seeing those steelies.

Dont feel too bad.  I was up today and had alot of trouble seeing them for some reason, even with polarized sunglasses AND an up to date contact lens prescription.  Not sure if there was just more color to the water than I thought, or what was going on, but they were really hard to spot.

Polarized glasses helps a whole bunch to see through the waters surface. But when you cant see down to the bottom or see fish in a run or a deeper hole learning to read the waters flow and currents will help you catch fish even though you cant see them there. Sight fishin to me is awesome. To see the fish come to your bait or fly and setting the hook is really cool to witness. As well its just as satisfying to read the water not knowing if fish are there and hooking up without seeing the fish. Get them glasses to help you see wishfishin , i dont wear glasses yet but im sure ill need em down the road and i wont hessitate to get em if i need em. Fish smarter not harder. and good fishin to you wishfishin.

ORIGINAL: avidangler

I don't want to see them.  Cause if you see them they see you.......

well said agree totally!!!!!!

I figure I see 20% of visible fish at best, probably seeing a few more than I did 20 years ago. No big deal, I've never been a sight fisherman, and yeah , they can see you too.

You have to watch out for those sneaky fish that "pick up your junk".  That could be painful...
 
I know I am getting better at seeing fish and I am getting better at feeling the bite.  Steelies rarely will attack a fly or bait and run off with it.   Most  bites are very subtle.  I am getting better at feeling that.  Of course, that means I have become an expert at setting the hook on sticks, rocks and leaves... 
 
Another thing that has changed for me is the competitive need to hit the streams before everyone and get the best drift.  If I catch fish, that is great, but if i don't that is OK as well.  All I want is to hook one fish each time I am on the streams.  Any more than that is a bonus.  I fish when I have time and when the conditions are good.  I feel less of a drive to be on the stream every waking moment.
 
I also don't tolerate the cold weather as well as I used to so I don't fish as much when the temperatures drop below freezing.  Besides it is not much fun dealing with all your stuff freezing up.
 
I have come to realize that steelies will hit just about any fly or bait you put in front of them is presented correctly.  They do have certain preferences on different days, but there is no secret fly or bait; some work better one day than others, but all will work.  That means I am gradually carrying fewer different fly patterns.  Basically, I have glo bugs and sucker spawns, pheasant tails and copper johns, wooly buggers and streamers.  I do enjoy experimenting with fly patterns, but I usually stick to the basics.
 
Lastly, I am enjoying fishing with friends more.  I do like the solitude sometimes, but it is also fun to be in the streams with friends.
 
 
 
 

It's kind of like spotting deer in the woods. If you look for the whole deer,you'll miss a lot. You look for the twitch of an ear or a patch of white that doesn't belong. It's the same for fish, look for a swaying tail or a moving fin. You see that and it's amazing how the whole fish just pops into view.

thats funny they see us and they think how ugly we see them and say wow good looking fish???? mmm get the eyes checked or you may just need a dose of vitms

Keep your eyes closed.  But then I fall asleep and start dreaming of em....

Fully understand and appreciate your post. Don't like fighting the frigid conditions anymore and use polarized glasses for eye comfort especially if there is any sun at all. If you look into an area and see any underwater movement there are usually several more fish in the immediate area.

There's five fish in that hole?!  No way! 
 
Thanks, CH, you made me laugh.  That's always appreciated.

They say the memory is the second thing to go, I can't remember what the first was!

Captain hook,
 
How old is that pic?    Only reason I ask is there appears to be a coho or maybe even two in there.  Can any of you old duuds pick it out?

All I know is that there are a lot of stressed fish in that hole.  Most are head down and tail up.   Also there's an empty bottle of vicoden in the lower right.

thR aLl sKRs duuud gAt soM glsssis.....wrs guru?