Fishing Forum

I just thought I would throw this out there, as this information was news to me, and I thought it was interesting.

In studies that they conducted in Colorado, brown trout and brook trout see twice as well in dim light as do cutthroats and rainbows. And the larger ones see even better than the younger ones. They feed many more hours into the dark than do the other trout.

To me this helps explain why browns and brooks can so easily displace others in waters that are suitable to them. They get more food and can even prey on the other fish that can't see as well. Trees and the amount of shading on the water makes a difference also. I can just imagine that once twilight sets in, a nice native cutt then becomes an evening snack for a big brown. They are sitting ducks!!

I've seen this with evening fishing in different areas. If there are browns in the waters, then the big boys really get active at night. I may not be able to see my fly, but they can. So if you are after big browns -- stay a little later, and if the moon is out make it a late date!
[signature]

That is interesting. Some of my favorite memories are catching brookies on dry flies by moonlight.

Windriver
[signature]

Mackinaw have the same ability. My understanding is they have a vision set for daylight and another for dark. Twilight is when they really can only see shapes since they are in between vision sets. This is why swinging flies and lures at dusk or dawn produces fish that might not bite if they could see your presentation more clearly.
[signature]

It makes sense that Macs would have good dark vision with how deep they roam.

I am wondering if it is a general trait of the char family.

WR I too have had fun times on high lakes catching brookies by moonlight. You seem to catch more of the larger ones then. Well, larger as far as brookes go!
[signature]

thanks for the info. it makes more sense as to why I catch mostly browns at night and that my biggest fish have all been caught close to or after dark.

Macks, Brookies, and Browns. Good night vision. All fall spawners. Wonder where that ties in.
Where do perch and bass fit in as far as eyesight goes? Walleyes, a perch I believe, are night time critters. Muskie or Pike?
All of those fish are spring spawners I believe.
Catfish? Do they spawn in the spring or fall?
[signature]

I love lantern fishing for the browns at Palies! Your post makes perfect sence with my experience on that reservoir. I like the perch question brought up; in my opinion and experience the perch fishing shuts down at dark, however, I remeber a few post on early AM (3:00-5:00) fishing for perch with sucess especially at Mud Lake.

OC
[signature]

Ive spent many late nights in the float tube in search of browns and did pretty good lost some that went like fright trains and never even seen them. its always the same too really dark colored leaches is what seem to produce fish
[signature]

I have also read a study about brown trout that said once they reach 16", they switch from eating mainly insects to eating mostly fish. They will still eat bugs, but prefer fish. Cutthroats stay on a mostly insect diet. This may explain why browns will readily hit streamers, and Rapalas. Brown trout are my favorite fish to catch. They hit everything, fight like crazy, and look awesome in the fall. Gotta love them Brownies !!
[signature]

There was a newspaper article a talking about night fishing for big browns, and using like frog, mouse - big protein - fallen off the shore into big pools and undercuts - looked like fun, as long as you know the water in the dark, trust the people around you flinging hooks, but an adventure non=the less. And big fish to be found.


Yes - Not the ones eating little flies, but the trolls looking for the big feast!

I'd say - I've also heard about the diet shift - makes good sense. Makes sense to what you offer them too. Go streamers, uh huh!