The Fish Know it is Spring

It is hard to believe that I was fishing a nice little lake last Friday in 70 degree temps with a fly rod while wearing a pullover.  The sun was out, the fish were biting, and it was a joy to be outdoors.  Then there was thunder, lightning, and hail on Saturday.  Sunday brought sleet, graupel, and snow with freezing temperatures.  With that in mind though, I think the fish are more used to this and more adaptable than we give them credit for.  They know how to find warmer water.  They can recognize that they days are getting longer.  They know what will be available to feed on and how to expend the smallest amount of energy possible to get it.

All of my fish were caught with a jig that was 6 feet under an indicator.  They were caught around structure and off the bank (an overflow pipe to be exact).  They didn't want to hit a fast moving fly but would hit it with a a little or no movement.  I would be surprised if the recent front didn't send these and other fish back to deeper water for a little while, but they know the drill.  In fact, they might not have moved much because water temps might not fluctuate greatly and days are still getting longer.  Spring fishing in the Midwest is like a game of cat and mouse.  The fish are trying to find warmer water and food and we are trying to find the fish.  So if that is what the game is, then spring has officially started and let the games begin!