Fish-On! Chapter 1

Fish-On! Fish Smart!

The traditional view of angling is hopelessly tangled with the concept of luck. Fishermen have always worn lucky hats, used lucky lures, spit on their baits for luck, and secretly fished lucky "honey holes." Lucky anglers catch fish ... sometimes. However, there has always been a growing TV movement within the sport fishing fraternity dedicated to replacing luck with scientific knowledge and "on-the-water" experience.

Fishing based on the practical application of scientific principles is replacing traditional views. Practitioners of this school of fishing work towards consistent success rather than attempting to conjure sporadic luck. No one knows enough to totally eliminate luck from angling experience, but taking an organized approach to the activity holds the promise of increased success and greater environmental understanding. Before exploring the "how-tos" of fishing for a favored species, as presented in subsequent units, some basic concepts and principles which apply generally to angling may serve you well. Let's examine how these principles relate to the formula "Fish + Habitat + Seasonal Change + Equipment + Technique = Success." 

THE FISH

Each species of fish reacts differently to a specific environment. Similarities exist between members of the same family, but each species has unique biological and physiological characteristics. Understanding how a fish uses its natural equipment in its daily struggle for survival is the first and most important step towards consistent, successful angling. All of our subsequent decisions about where, when, and how to fish relate back to understanding the basic nature of the animal.

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