Re: [VFB] do fish see colour?

[Rene Zillmann]

Paul. interesting view on that topic. When I follow your thoughts and browse through a couple of popular flies, I see often such a spot. You already mentioned some atlantic salmon flies (I'm not familiar with them, but have to work on this) The egg sucking leech Beadhead flies The red thread collar in the Chili Pepper The Polar Magnus The hot spot shrimp Bibio Pattern I had already plans for modifications on my beetle. Place the red spot in the middle of the fly, not as head. I'll see next year (when seasons opens here on the Erft) how it works Rene Paul Marriner wrote: While I certainly agree that most (if not all) fish can see colour, it's very important not to generalize from individual experiences as regards flies. For example, a fly in the surface film on a sunny day will appear black to the fish, a silhouette, just as it does to you. OTOH, on an overcast day, all its colours can be distinguished. Time of day, smog, and a zillion other variables impact on exactly how a "colour" will be viewed. Colour of subsurface flies is always seen, but depth (just one variable) impacts how those colours are seen. As it happens, I agree with Rene as to the importance of contrast, and a colour "spot." One can see this in many of my patterns tied with chartreuse thread to give a "bright" head "spot." This is the theory, and successful practice, of a myriad of Atlantic salmon flies that have colourful tags (or butts), and a smaller number that have a bright collar. cheers Paul Rene Zillmann wrote: Dave, there are a lot of experiments done in the past, and at least for trout and a lot others: yes, they see color. I've made the same experience. In my home water I fish a lot my 'blue parachute beetle'. I usually tie it with a red or orange dubbed head. I tried it several times without the head. ANd these flies catch less fish. I remember 2 days where the plain blue didn't produce a hit, switching to the one with the red head produced takes imediately. Switched back to plain blue - nothing. I'm sure this is not true for all specied of fish. Rene David Masson wrote: now here is a question "do fish actually see colour dave