Flats. Are fish on the flats predictable as to their movements? The answer to this varies with the person you ask. Lots of fishermen will state emphatically that fish are not predictable. They are speaking from experience. Are they correct? They are telling the truth as they have experienced it.
Is it true? Well, fishermen often say things like; there aren’t any fish around this year or the tide is wrong or the wind is too strong or to light, too many boats, to many cormorants, seals, bait fishermen, litter, and too many satellites.
Is it true? You decide which excuse is comfortable and fits; it is too complex for me to discern.
Do fish move in predictable patterns?
Yes they do.
Are these patterns always apparent?
They are for some.
Is it possible to learn how to see these patterns?
Yes it is and you can do it if you allow yourself to observe and recognize them.
Will it be foolproof?
No, nothing is foolproof but attempting to learn how to do it will be better than throwing up your hands and giving up before you find out if you can do it. Why isn’t this patterning talked about by the experts? Simple, they don’t know anything about it and/or
it is too risky for their reputations.
It is a put up or shut type thing.
It is much safer to say, "That’s fishing!"
A flat that is dry at low tide does not have fish on it. That is called a premise.
Flats that are empty of water are barren of fish swimming on them.
Where did they go?
That is a good question because it is the beginning of curiosity and the answer can be interesting.
Now, if this premise is true and there are no fish on dry flats then a flat that is dry is a good starting point. No water no fish. Predictability! It is the bottom line, a fixed point to measure with and from. It is a beginning and a good one.
No water no fish!
This is very reasonable so far.
This barren flat is empty of fish and where did they go?
They moved off the flat with the water or they would be lying around flapping on the flat.
That means they are somewhere in the water surrounding the flat and if they are going to come back they will have to come up with the water when it floods the flat. That makes sense because they are not going to fly up or take a taxi. They will swim up and they have to have water to swim in.
This is where flats fishing begins to get interesting and logical.
This is also where most people let their emotions race around looking for fish and frenetically worry about tackle and fly selection.
|
|