Spring is the time for predators.
Once again winter retreats, abandoning its hold on freezing temperatures, fog and snow in the highest areas.
The daylight hours grow a bit longer and a bit warmer, the first insects emerge, the plants revive like a phoenix bird arising from ashes, and the water temperatures begin to rise.
This is the call of spring. Everything in nature heeds to this awakening, including water dwelling predators. Infamous for their hunting instincts, large predatory fish like pike and zander perceive this seasonal change. These opportunistic species prowl waters with vehemence, as the birth of a new season enlivens aquatic habitat that make for easy prey and solid nutrition. Without a doubt, the call of spring is the time to cast your fly at a predator fish.
What to cast?
Big fly, big fish. It’s not always like that of course. But aiming for the big predator requires a bigger fly and a positive attitude, the confidence and perseverance to go after the predators are basic keys to success.
I like to use recipes by Blane Chocklett and Bob Popovics, which are always in my daily artillery. They create the possibility of authentic monster flies, with a reduced weight and a great attraction capacity. These are almost always assembled with natural materials such as bucktail and synthetics such as Farrar’s blend. I always take special care with the choice of quality hooks, in sizes from 3/0 to 6/0. Using the right hook can be the difference between hooking the fish of your life, or just watching it gobble up your fly in front of you and escape.
When to fish for predators?
Spring is the best time. The call of natural reproduction leads predatory fish to more accessible and shallow areas where temperatures are changing with the season. The requirements are met, the miracle of life occurs, and food becomes abundant. This is the time to hunt the predator.
We can differentiate between two key moments: pre spawn and post spawn. During the pre spawn period, fish locate themselves in different areas, looking for mating partners and above all, very big fish! The post spawn period occurs once their reproductive tasks are finished, and predators need to regain strength.
If you are a freshwater fisherman and have never been interested in fishing for predators, it can be an exciting new experience. Whether wading or belly boating, once you try and can find success catching predators, you won’t be able to stop.
Contributed By
David Tejedor Royo
David Tejedor Royo was born in Zaragoza 44 years ago on the banks of the mythical Ebro River, from a family of traditional fishermen. “Fishing has been part of my life since I was very little. At first I didn’t show much interest in fishing. When I was 13, my cousin bought his first fly fishing rod, and my life changed completely. I dedicated my life to fly fishing for predators, especially pike, black bass and catfish.”
Royo was always interested in photography, and it was not too long ago that he bought his first SLR camera. Since then, he says “It has always accompanied me on all my adventures, being today my main hobby.” Fascinated by what happens underwater in the dramatic moments of a capture, he decided to start underwater photography. He calls this a “place where I meet myself again.”
