Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

6
Rocks are a microcosm unto themselves, and an angler
who knows how to interpret stony subtleties is one step ahead in
the game. When reading rocks, it’s important to understand the
Three Lies of fish: Sheltering, Feeding, and Prime. Sheltering lies are
places fish go only for protection, and are always under something.
Feeding lies are places fish go only for food, and are usually shallow
with slower currents. Prime lies are places that offer both
protection and food—these places are fish-magnets.
All lies must offer protection from fast currents.
Rocks (especially large, exposed rocks) have
the Three Lies in abundance. Let’s look at a
typical, three-foot diameter, near-shore rock
in Montana’s Madison River. We’ll start from
the back and work our way forward.
At the rear of the rock is a micro-pool or
“pocket” (A), created by the rock’s current
break. Due to deposition of materials, this
slow-current area is shallower than the
surrounding water. In addition, currents
on the edge of the micro-pool
push food into its waters continually.
This area is definitely a pure feeding
lie (unless over waist deep or
so—then it becomes a prime lie).
Fish will move into the micro-pools
when there is enough food to make
such exposure worthwhile (such as
during a hatch situation). Low-light
periods, like morning and evening,
are usually the best times to find fish
in such a place. Indeed, one of the
nicest browns I caught this last summer
in the Madison came from a micro-pool
just before 10:00 P.M.
Fish in a micro-pool have two primary
places to go if hooked—out or under. Specifically,
out into the main current (and then
away at speed), or down under the edges of the
rock (I’ve been cut-off more than once when
fish did that). A fish that peels out will likely
need to be followed, and can be expected to aim
for other types of cover on the way (rocks, logs, undercuts, etc.)
The edges of the rock (B) and the confluence line between
the micro-pool and the main current (C) are prime lies. The
cover afforded by the rock edge or deep, foamy, turbulent water
makes the fish feel secure. And since the water in these areas isn’t
pushing hard in any one direction, the fish can hold in it with
TECHNIQUES
Jason Borger
relative ease. In addition, there is a concentration of food being
funneled into, and past these areas, and a quick duck into the
main current or under the rock provides shelter. One time, I
hooked a fish on the Madison out of a main-current confluence
that I never saw—it went out onto the bottom in heavy water and
eventually took off, ultimately leaving me with a very wide-gape
hook. Remember, as well, that rocks in non-flowing
waters also have edges, and fish can be found cruising
around those primes, too.
The confluence line that is pushing up against
the undercut bank (D) is a prime lie, too.
Although not as deep as the main-current
confluence, this prime lie has additional
cover in the form of overhanging grasses
(which provide additional terrestrial food
sources). In times of low water, this prime
lie may become more of a feeding lie, but
that doesn’t mean it won’t hold some
very nice fish.
Now that the back and sides of the
rock have been covered, many anglers
would move on. DON’T. There is
one more prime lie left, and it’s one of
the best “big fish” primes in the whole
river—the front of the rock (E). The
front of the rock is deep (due to erosion),
sports a hydraulic cushion (thus,
current relief), and allows a first look at
food coming down. One of my biggest
browns ever from the Madison came
from such a spot. This is typically
a nymph or streamer locale, unless
the food coming down is big enough
and/or plentiful enough to get the fish
interested in the surface.
Rocks are not just an obstruction
in the flow, but rather they’re great
opportunities to expand your fishing
horizons. Read them thoroughly, and
you’ll be catching more fish more often.
Our thanks to Jason for 10 years of great Techniques columns.
We asked readers to vote for their favorite columns, and we’re running
the top six throughout our 2008 issues. Jason will continue
to contribute feature-length articles such as his thought-provoking
piece on page 32, Fishing Nymphs as Dry Flies.
JASON BORGER ILLUSTRATIONS