Monday, January 14, 2013

Why do Steelhead bite the fly?

 
Why do Steelhead bite the fly? - Over the years this debate has been hashed over many beers or a single malt. Recently, I heard this description which I thought was 'kinda cool'...

Steelhead bite flies for one of three reasons;
1)Aggression
Definition - An attack made without reasonable cause.
Often times this particular reason is equated to the male Steelhead, reffered to as a Buck.

2)Curiosity
Definition - An object that arouses interest, as by being novel or extraordinary.
This particular reason is equated to steelhead in general; especially the females or hens.

3)Recall
Definition - Bring (a fact, event, or situation) back into one's mind.
This particular reason relates to when the fish was in the river as a smolt before they went to sea. As a smolt the fish routinely ate nymphs, dries and the like. Upon return to the river as an adult they 'bite' a fly in 'recall' of their youth when they lived in the river eating nymphs, etc. to survive.

Interesting analogy!