Fishing in the rain

rookie · 10-19-99, 04:20 PM

How does the behavior of the trout change while it is raining? Before any of the water changes color or any of the other things. I guess what I am curious about is whether or not it is worth leaving the office when I can see some rain on the way. By the way it does not take much to get me out of the office and on the water.

Bob M · 10-19-99, 07:34 PM

Depends on the rain. If it puts a stain on the water, it will put the fish down. If it just rains and doesn't hose water quality, it's great. You'll have a chance at some fish that usually only come out at night.

Gray, drizzely days are my favorite. Good fishing and it runs lots of sunny-day folks aff the river.

Thunderstorms would be a different thing entirely. Not smart to wave a 6 or 9 foot electrode around electrical activity.

Frequent Flyer · 10-20-99, 12:15 AM

Bob's right on. I love fishing during a drizzling rain. The difference I've noticed is that the fish stop taking drys (big deal!)

Loren

NiteOwl · 10-20-99, 03:23 AM

Ahhhhhhh, rain, only second to fishing in the snow ! Had Smith's all to myself one snowy weekday last year. caught tons of fish. At least 13 or 14.

Seems that the rain does put the fish off of dries. Also, I am getting old and am going to buy a rain jacket very soon ! Took me 3 or 4 hours to thaw from the NC trip with Grizz. Shirt was soaked, but was I ever happy ! Going again on Friday with my favorite camera gal.

No, Ole Man, not GaFishinGal !

------------------

Gimmie a "B", gimmie an "R", gimme an "O", gimmie another "O"......
Owl

BT · 10-20-99, 08:25 AM

A light rain, just hard enough to break up the surface of the water, is just the ticket. The fish can't see you as well and are very easy to pick up on a nymph.

------------------
May your lines be tight
and your fish be bright.

Bud

RoyC · 10-20-99, 08:31 AM

A light misty rain is sometimes just the thing to get the bugs active. During the fall and early winter months I see BWO's and midges hatching in the warmer afternoons especially when the day is overcast and a little rain is falling.

While a heavy rain will put off the dry fly activity, just as soon as the rain stops you can get into a lot of fish some days. Had a very good day this summer on the Hiwassee when it was raining on a off all day. Rain also keeps the rubber hatch to a minimum.

RoyC

Rod · 10-20-99, 09:00 AM

I concur on all points here....several of my best days, in volume and length, have been down right ugly.

The fish are more likely to chase baitfish or other large quary across a pool or two. I tie on huge streamers or muddler minnows and hang on.....movement is key.....flash is key
staying dry is secondary to wetting a line

KB · 10-20-99, 09:29 AM

I had the good fortune of getting in a few hours yesterday up in the mountains. There was light rain on and off the whole time. It was probably the best day I had all year.

------------------
KB
"You must lose a fly to catch a Trout"
The Georgia Mountain Angler

jeffg · 10-20-99, 01:09 PM

Rain means browns, big browns, the biggest fish you can catch in that year.
It also means dead drifted buggers if the water is rising.
In the summer it means fishing submerged terrestrial as you would a nymph. Or big brown beetles on the surface if it isnt a hard reain(or hoppers too).

And it usually means LESS CROWDS , which can account for the bigger fish and more fish too.

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10-19-99, 04:20 PM	#1
rookie Stocker Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 10	How does the behavior of the trout change while it is raining? Before any of the water changes color or any of the other things. I guess what I am curious about is whether or not it is worth leaving the office when I can see some rain on the way. By the way it does not take much to get me out of the office and on the water.

10-19-99, 07:34 PM	#2
Bob M Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 1,372	Depends on the rain. If it puts a stain on the water, it will put the fish down. If it just rains and doesn't hose water quality, it's great. You'll have a chance at some fish that usually only come out at night. Gray, drizzely days are my favorite. Good fishing and it runs lots of sunny-day folks aff the river. Thunderstorms would be a different thing entirely. Not smart to wave a 6 or 9 foot electrode around electrical activity.

10-20-99, 12:15 AM	#3
Frequent Flyer Native Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Newnan, GA, USA Posts: 1,226	Bob's right on. I love fishing during a drizzling rain. The difference I've noticed is that the fish stop taking drys (big deal!) Loren

10-20-99, 03:23 AM	#4
NiteOwl Ex Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Temple, GA Posts: 2,831	Ahhhhhhh, rain, only second to fishing in the snow ! Had Smith's all to myself one snowy weekday last year. caught tons of fish. At least 13 or 14. Seems that the rain does put the fish off of dries. Also, I am getting old and am going to buy a rain jacket very soon ! Took me 3 or 4 hours to thaw from the NC trip with Grizz. Shirt was soaked, but was I ever happy ! Going again on Friday with my favorite camera gal. No, Ole Man, not GaFishinGal ! ------------------ Gimmie a "B", gimmie an "R", gimme an "O", gimmie another "O"...... Owl

10-20-99, 08:25 AM	#5
BT Native Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Rome, Ga. Posts: 247	A light rain, just hard enough to break up the surface of the water, is just the ticket. The fish can't see you as well and are very easy to pick up on a nymph. ------------------ May your lines be tight and your fish be bright. Bud

10-20-99, 08:31 AM	#6
RoyC Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: South of Battle Creek Posts: 1,151	A light misty rain is sometimes just the thing to get the bugs active. During the fall and early winter months I see BWO's and midges hatching in the warmer afternoons especially when the day is overcast and a little rain is falling. While a heavy rain will put off the dry fly activity, just as soon as the rain stops you can get into a lot of fish some days. Had a very good day this summer on the Hiwassee when it was raining on a off all day. Rain also keeps the rubber hatch to a minimum. RoyC

10-20-99, 09:00 AM	#7
Rod Native Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Duluth Posts: 411	I concur on all points here....several of my best days, in volume and length, have been down right ugly. The fish are more likely to chase baitfish or other large quary across a pool or two. I tie on huge streamers or muddler minnows and hang on.....movement is key.....flash is key staying dry is secondary to wetting a line

10-20-99, 09:29 AM	#8
KB Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 806	I had the good fortune of getting in a few hours yesterday up in the mountains. There was light rain on and off the whole time. It was probably the best day I had all year. ------------------ KB "You must lose a fly to catch a Trout" The Georgia Mountain Angler

10-20-99, 01:09 PM	#9
jeffg Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: LRD Posts: 2,281	Rain means browns, big browns, the biggest fish you can catch in that year. It also means dead drifted buggers if the water is rising. In the summer it means fishing submerged terrestrial as you would a nymph. Or big brown beetles on the surface if it isnt a hard reain(or hoppers too). And it usually means LESS CROWDS , which can account for the bigger fish and more fish too.