As a result of a comment by Joe Perdoni on a previous post, I’ve decided to put my one of my theories, previously only spoken of to close friends, down in print.
Joe says: “Why is it that fish always decide to bite when you’re not looking or are in the middle of doing something; you can have hours of no action but as soon as you turn your back……….! “
All anglers have experienced this many times, too often to be a coincidence. Many years ago whilst “a serving of Her Majesty the Queen” in the British Army of the Rhine I did a bit of match fishing on the army match circuit and I expressed the same sentiment to a long serving Sergeant Major and I added that it seemed as though the fish knew when we were concentrating on catching them. He told me of certain soldiers who, even when in simulated field combat situations, could tell when they were being watched and often say from which direction.
When the subject came up again on another occasion, in different company, a fellow angler who had done a lot of deer stalking said he was always being told by professional gillies never to look directly at a deer until he was ready to pull the trigger. Apparently the deer can sense the hunters presence, become restless and often move out of shot.
If these two examples are true then why should fish not have this extra sense and be aware of the anglers presence in the same way, abstaining from feeding through fear until the anglers attention wanders.
Consider this if you will, the next time you are sitting there having missed the only bite of the day, as the hot tea you were about to drink soaks slowly into your groin.
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