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tolerate the warm water better than cold-water fish like trout, but they usually won't be very receptive to taking a fly, lure, or bait if the water temperature is too high. This means that the middle of the day, on a hot day, normally isn't going to be very productive. Water takes some time to heat up, but it takes just as long to cool down. What few fish are caught under the blazing sun will often be on the bottom, in vegetation, in hollows, or under logs; each of which tend to be a little cooler than surrounding areas.

For many of the reasons mentioned above, just before, during, and after a rainstorm can be tremendously productive for any of the fish already mentioned, as long as the storm isn't prolonged. The rain clouds shade the water and the rain drops the air temperature, which allows the water to begin to cool. What's more, the rain is likely to knock insects into the water, initiating a behavior in the fish that is very much like a feeding frenzy. In a prolonged storm, though, the fish may become full and stop showing interest in striking flies, lures, or bait.

In lakes, especially the crystal clear ones, a slight breeze is also a good condition for all three kinds of fishing. The ripples in the water act like tiny prisms, breaking up your outline, making it more difficult for the fish to see you. This can be especially useful to a fly fisherman, however, since it masks the minute disturbances caused by the fly line landing on the water.

In rivers and streams, one condition that is rarely thought about is the one dealing with water flow. It is true that the early steelhead and salmon runs often coincide with increased flow due to snow melt off in the high country. However, if the flow is greatly increased, the water is also carrying a larger amount of sediment and debris. So while the fish are present, they may not be easy to catch.

Still, if the flow drops too low, the water isn't moving as quickly and it can warm up faster. This is also not good for fishing.

The best flow is steady, with enough water to maintain cool temperatures. For most rivers and streams, the ideal flow happens every year for a period lasting between a few days and a few weeks.

There are other variables that haven't been discussed here, but just from the above, it is pretty easy to see that regardless of body of water, type of fishing, or kind of fish being sought, ideal conditions and times are rare, especially in combination. Many of them can't be planned for, either. We can know well in advance when there is going to be a full moon, but we have no way to know for sure when it will rain, when there will be a slight breeze, or when melt offs will increase water flow.

In over 45 years of fishing, in many bodies of water and for various kinds of fish, and often fishing many times a week, I've encountered truly ideal conditions three times. In each instance, it didn't last long, but it didn't need to because I caught my limit or the maximum number I could use, each time and within less than an hour or two. I won't say I haven't had tremendous success during other times, and there have been a few, during times and conditions that weren't the best for fishing.

Knowing the ideal conditions and times to fish is helpful, but they aren't the most important consideration for fishing success. Still, knowing when conditions and times are poor for fishing can at least allow the fisherman to have realistic expectations. If they then exceed those expectations, they have had a great fishing day.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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