by Isaac Malpass

Created on: February 01, 2010

These are factors  that are often asked about by my friends and family when I plan a fishing trip, or  I return after being successful. There are several different responses that one can give to such a query. These depend greatly on who is asking the question, and their reasons for doing so. It also depends what sort of fishing they are interested in. I have listed the 3 answers that I commonly give.

1. The first response is one I would give to someone who is just making conversation on the topic, and not specifically interested in catching fish "Every time and all conditions are ideal when you are fishing!"

As a trout fisherman in New Zealand, with some waters open for fishing all year near me, I have fished in searing hot, blindingly bright summers days; driving spring rain; snowy, cold, winter afternoons and still clear autumn evenings. They have all been ideal, as I have been escaping from everyday stresses, connecting with nature, and having sweet fresh air inflate my lungs. As long as you have a summer and winter clothing, and a passion for fishing or the outdoors, all times and conditions are great!

2. If someone is asking me for ideal times and conditions who is a starting fisherman, and is interested in catching a trout, I will give different advice. As I am primarily a trout angler, and do most of my fishing with flies, my answer in this case would definitely be... "Change of light. But particularly dusk through to darkness on a still night"

Far and away, the most successful times that I have been fishing for trout (and freshwater perch) have been as night falls...and right through into the middle of the night! Trout become much more indiscriminate in their feeding as it gets dark.

During dusk, a phenomenon often occurs known as the "evening rise". During this period, trout will rise to emerging insects and nocturnal terrestrial insects becoming active being blown onto the water. The rise can be identified by egocentric rings starting to appear in still or slow moving waters, plopping noises - and when there is a particularly frenzied rise - large splashes as trout jump from the water in their haste to get a feed!

Fishing with dry flies or emerger patterns during this period can be very exciting and productive. A good bet is a Caddis fly pattern. On a calm evening when the moon is out, even after dark, one can cast a fly out  and wait in great anticipation for circles to appear beyond the end of the fly line. With your ears strained

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