| On our travels we fish with other guides and | | | | How many times have you been fishing from the |
| we've noticed that all quality guides share at lease | | | | back of the boat and the guide, who is in front of |
| one commonality. It's something we like to call | | | | you, is able to see your fly eaten before you do. |
| "guide vision". Regardless of whether you fish | | | | This is a simple matter of opening your vision. |
| saltwater for bonefish or freshwater for trout, | | | | Don't concentrate so hard on finding a fish that |
| seeing fish puts you at an advantage. You might | | | | you loose your peripheral vision. Make sure that |
| have thought that most guides just have | | | | you can catch a movement or splash out of the |
| exceptional vision, but really it's not about having | | | | corner of your eye. When looking at your fly you |
| good eyes, more importantly it's about knowing | | | | should also be able to see your fly line (is it time |
| how to look at the water. We are going to give | | | | to mend again?), and the water surrounding your |
| you a few pointers to start you on a path | | | | fly (is it time to recast?). |
| developing your own guide vision. | | | | When fishing try to put your back to the sun, |
| Keys to developing your guide vision: | | | | you'll be amazed at how much more you can see. |
| Spend some money on good, quality optics and | | | | Put those new polarized sunglasses to work for |
| take care of them. There are several good | | | | you, sometimes it even helps to tilt your to one |
| sunglass manufacturers out there whose products | | | | side or the other which can reduce glare off the |
| are worth the $150 to $250 dollars, most of | | | | waters surface. |
| them even have options for prescription lenses. | | | | Learn to read the water effectively to spot |
| Make sure they fit properly - a high quality lense | | | | feeding fish. If there is surface activity due to a |
| is only good if it fits correctly. Sunglass lenses | | | | hatch where are the fish concentrated? Focus |
| should not touch your eyelashes and should not | | | | your attention on the most active areas and |
| let light in from the sides or bottom. You should | | | | spend your time there. As you develop this skill |
| also consider the color of the lens, we prefer | | | | you'll spend more time fishing to actively feeding |
| browns and coppers. Grey lenses block out too | | | | fish and less time fishing unproductive water. |
| much light and yellow might let too much in for | | | | If you spot a fish, but have to move to make a |
| those with more sensitive eyes. Fly fishing is a | | | | presentation make sure to mark the fish's location |
| visually active sport and if you can't see your fly | | | | so you can find him when you're repositioned. You |
| or the fish you are at a huge disadvantage. | | | | might do this by identifying something on the |
| Spend more time on the water (you can even tell | | | | bottom or the stream bank. If you think you're in |
| your significant other we said so). Obviously, the | | | | position to make the cast don't rush in, be patient |
| best way to do this is with a guide or an | | | | and wait for the fish to show himself again. |
| experienced angler by your side. Ask questions, | | | | Don't get frustrated this is a skill that can take |
| most guides and anglers love to share their | | | | years to develop. A typical guide spends months |
| knowledge with those eager to learn. | | | | at a time on the water so it won't happen for |
| When you are out on the water be observant; | | | | you overnight. Keep practicing. |
| look for subtle color changes, flashes, and | | | | These are just a few of the keys to seeing the |
| movement. Don't look for the whole fish under | | | | water and spotting fish more effectively. By |
| the water, instead look for the movement of a | | | | learning and using these basics you'll be on your |
| tail, a flash as the fish rolls on its side to eat a | | | | way to developing a skill that will dramatically |
| nymph, or a change in the color of the bottom | | | | increase you angling abilities. |
| which might be the shadow of a fish. | | | | |