Light

Light influences fish’s activities. A photoperiod is defined as the amount of daylight in a twenty four hour period. It is influenced by the amount of cloud cover on a daily basis. Seasonally, summer months have longer photoperiod days and the sunlight’s angle is more direct. The fall, winter, and spring months include both shorter daylight periods and lowered sunlight angulations. In addition, there are longer shadows than during the midsummer times. Seasonal variances influence the amount of light entering the water.

Fish are more alert during bright sunlight conditions because they are more visible to animals of prey. The fish’s food supplies are most abundant in the shallow littoral zones which are located in areas of more intense light penetration necessary for

photosynthesis. Fish may only feel safe to be in these shallow zones during subdued lighting conditions. This is usually early and late in the day or at times of seasonal low light conditions which occur in the fall, winter, and spring. During midsummer, a fish’s presence in the shallows may be restricted to times of dawn, dusk, or overcast days. Consequently fish collect during bright light conditions into the darker areas adjacent to the littoral zones.

With present lighting conditions taken into consideration, select your fishing site accordingly. During the winter, spring, and fall, you will most likely find fish spending more time in the shallows than they do during the summer season. Dark, overcast, and rainy days can draw an abundance of fish into the shallows to feed. Dusk and dawn are also prime times for fishing these shallows. As the light intensity increases, the fish converge into the darker depths of adjacent channels and drop-offs.

Light affects insect’s activities. Usually they are most dynamic during low light periods. During intense lighting periods insects search out shaded areas deep in protective cover. The evening rise happens

as insects lay their eggs upon the surface at dusk. Overcast days prolong surface feeding because both the insects are more active and the fish are safer feeding in the shallows. With little knowledge of optical physics, the seasonal and dusk/dawn light phenomenon can be explained. Light rays striking the water’s surface at a right angle travel through it with little deviation.

The angulated sunlight is less illuminating underwater because some of it is reflected away at the surface as rays hitting the water are bent upwards; thus the net result is diminished light penetrating the aquatic environment.

There are other light physics phenomena such as infrared rays which are elongated and penetrate cloud cover more readily. This red light from the visible spectrum is noticed more by the fish. Adding the color red to a fly improves its effectiveness, especially in baitfish imitations. Red is more visible.

In conclusion, lighting affects both the insect’s and the fish’s activities; it’s an important factor in finding actively feeding fish.