■ The best times to fish are whe n the fish are naturally most active. The Sun,
Moon, tides, and weather all influence fish activity. For example, fish tend to feed more
at sunrise and sunset. During a full Moon, tides are higher than average and fish tend to
feed more. However, most of us go fishing when we can get the time off, not because it
is the best time. But there are best times, according to fishing lore:
■ One hour before and one
hour after high tides, and one Tackle-Box Checklist
hour before and one hour after ❏ Fishing line
low tides. (The times of high ❏ Bobbers
tides for Boston are given on
pages 114– 140; also see pages ❏ Swivels, to keep fishing
240– 241. Inland, the times for line from twisting
high tides correspond with the ❏ Leaders
times when the Moon is due ❏ Sinkers
south. Low tides are halfway
between high tides.) ❏ Different sizes of hooks
■ During the “morning ❏ Pliers, to help remove hooks
The Best Fishing Days rise” (after sunup for a spell)
for 2008, when and the “evening rise” (just ❏ Stringer, to hold all the
the Moon is between before sundown and the fish you catch
new and full: hour or so after). ❏ Sharp knife
January8– 22 ■ When the barometer is ❏ Ruler/scale
February 6– 20 steady or on the rise. (But even ❏ Flashlight March 7– 21 during stormy periods, the fish aren’t going to give up feeding. ❏ First-aid kit April 5– 20 The smart fisherman will find ❏ Insect repellent
May 5– 19 just the right bait.) ❏ Sunscreen
June 3– 18 ■ When there is a hatch of
July 2– 18 flies—caddis flies or may-
August 1– 16 flies, commonly. (The fish- August 30–September 15 erman will have to match t r o u t
September 29–October 14 his fly with the hatching
October 28–November 13 flies or go fishless.)
November 27–December 12 ■ When the breeze is from a
December 27– 31 westerly quarter rather than catf ish
from the north or east.
■ When the water is still
or rippled, rather than during a wind. s a l m o n
References:
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