Fishing Forum

Got to thinking a little about my set up- not questioning it or anything, but rather questioning the reason(s) why we catch big fish.

By big, I am referening to what the water you fish holds. Not all waters hold 28" fish- but what I mean is big for the water you fish.

My question is WHAT was IT that connected you and that BIG fish? (By percentages)


Weather: fish feed better in some kinds of weather.

Time of day: as do they feed "better" during times of day

Area: were you fishing where big fish were "known to hang out?

Fly: would they have eaten any fly, or just the one you were throwing?

Presentation: would the big fish have eaten your fly on any other set up- with all other things being equal?



I'm highly curious but skeptical that anyone will respond, it kinda made me feel "lucky" when I gave my replies, to my own questions. I will add my perecentages if any one else replies.

Give it a good honest thinking over- when you caught that BIG fish for the WATER you were on. What was IT?

Also one thing I forgot was, and it could be clumped into AREA-, but how much does your experience in fly fishing count? The more experience you have the more likely you are to fish "in big fish water"...
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Weather: One of the best ..if not the best day i've had on a river was in a total down pour.

Time of day: I can honestly say that time of day has not made a ton of difference. The weather seams like more of a factor then time of day.

Area: Trial and error for me I admit whenever I have landed a "big one" I feel lucky.

Fly: My largest fish was caught on a Scud probably like a size 18 but in can't remember exactly. ( fish im holding in my profile pic). Not much to some people but biggest ive ever caught on a fly.

Presentation: Still working on it....


As far as percentages.... for me its just being persistent.. Ive only been fly fishing for 5yrs. I feel like I get a little better every time i go out. Its a constant learning process for me.
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Weather: 10%- high and low pressure systems, bluebird sunny days vs cloudy overcast days- its a big deal, in my book.

Time of day: 10%- I've found that the bigger preditory fish tend to feed (but not exclusively) at certain hours.

Area: 60% if you aint fishing in big fish water, you won't catch one!

Fly: 25% the 2nd most importand thing in my book- if you're throwing ham and they want turkey- you aint got chit!

Presentation:5%- if you're in the right water with the right bug, in the right conditions, I believe you CAN catch a big one, reguardless of how the fly gets to its face.

And if you'll follow my math it takes 110%, on every cast to catch the biggest fish in the water you fish. If its just about numbers of fish for you- forget every % and just huck a fly, you'll eventually catch something.
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Great book,"Big Trout" by Bernie Taylor. Read it, good information.
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