Maxxon's Ramblings from the OG: Reading the Water

Welcome to Maxxon's Ramblings from the OG. Fact, opinion, some truth, or BS; you decide for yourself. There's a lot of information out there about reading water and where you want to concentrate when you're trying to catch a fish. All of these places at one time or another, will definitely produce fish. Let's talk about how to maybe read the water for yourself and decide based on every situation where you might need to concentrate.

What We Have in Common with Fish

We require the same things to sustain life that a fish does.

• Life Essentials: We need oxygen and food.

• Shelter: We need shelter, and so does a fish.

• Energy: A fish is also very much like us in that they don't like to expend too much energy for what they get.

• Calories: We must consume calories to keep our bodies going. It's the same for a fish.
  

Finding the Fish's Kitchen

When you approach the water, consider the time of day and the temperatures. If you're hungry, you don't go to the living room or the bedroom; you go to the kitchen where the food is. It is the same thing with a fish. If they are actively feeding, they are going to move to where the food is.

Look at places like a seam, where slower water meets fast water. They can take the "conveyor belt" of food coming down to them, then zip over a couple of inches to rest from the current and find hydraulic relief.

If you're just getting started, a fly fishing combo is the easiest way to get on the water without overthinking your gear. 

Protection and Survival

If they're not feeding, they're going to look for places where they have protection and aren't exposed to enemies like birds or other mammals. They are going to look for places for cover.

Always keep in mind that fish need oxygen.

• Temperature: The warmer the water gets outside a certain zone, the less oxygen there is for the fish.
  

• Metabolism: With less oxygen, they slow down and their metabolism slows down.
  

• Still Water: In a lake or still water situation, this may require deeper depths where there might be cooler water and more oxygen.

Having the right fly rod for the water you're fishing makes all the difference when you finally locate that address.

For deeper lake fishing, check out our full range of fly fishing accessories to make sure you're prepared for any condition.

Finding the Address

It’s not a science, but a little bit of science can help you be more successful. Look for the places where the fish can get food, hydraulic relief, and rest. Look for where they have cover and are protected the most. Keep in mind water temperature and oxygen content, as these are vital for survival. Being able to read these areas will allow you to find the "address" of that fish on any given day or time of year. I hope this helps out, and maybe it's just BS; you decide for yourself.

Want to go deeper? Read our guide on saltwater fly fishing flies and see how reading the water changes when you hit the flats. 

I hope this helps out, and maybe it's just BS; you decide for yourself.

You've found the address now, bring the right gear. Shop Maxxon's rods, reels, and combos built for the water you just learned to read. Shop Now