Lessons for Anglers From a Fishy Education #2

If human anglers were able to hear and understand the information conveyed in fish schools, they might be less likely to continue to make some very traditional mistakes in pursuing their prey. By listening in last month, we learned what fish schools are teaching about fishhook avoidance. Today, we will listen in on Lesson II: Fishhook Escape Techniques. We have been assured that this is the typical next step in a fishy education.

LESSON II: FISHHOOK ESCAPE TECHNIQUES

INSTRUCTOR: In our last lesson we discussed fishhook avoidance. We introduced you to the various types of hooks used by the humanoid monsters who try to prey upon fish. We also told you how to look for nearby human anglers before you take a bite of attractive-looking food. We also warned you that if the angler is wearing fishing camouflage clothes, you will not be able to see them. Today, we will learn about how to escape if you do bite on a fishhook.

Anglers have created some very devious and attractive devices that look like very tasty bugs and minnows. These devices make it very hard to see the hook before you bite. They also use string made of some kind of material that is almost invisible in the water. The result is that many of us stand a chance of biting on their bait at least once.

STUDENT: But we have to eat something!

INSTRUCTOR: Now stop whining, Gilbert! If you bite a hook, or get one caught in a gill or your side, there is hope of escape. There is also hope that you will be put back into the water. Many of the humans think fishing is about the fun of catching us and fighting with us until they get us out of the water. Sometimes they point a little box at us that makes a bright flash of light. But many of these anglers remove the hook and set us free again. So, there is hope that even if you are caught, you will survive. And you little ones don't need to worry to much because they only like to keep bigger fish.

STUDENT: Do all anglers set fish free?

INSTRUCTOR: No some eat the fish they catch. So pay attention to these escape techniques.

First, you can try to pull free of the hook. This takes great concentration and self-control. The instant you think you are hooked, stop swimming and stay right where you are. Take a deep breath and gather your composure. Then very slowly, swim in a very small circle. Be careful to use only your tail fins when you do this, and try to move your head as little as possible. When you swim in a circle you will feel the hook pull against you at some point. When you find that point, stop. Then very slowly swim in the direction of the pulling. You will soon feel the pull on the hook lessen. Then gently try to swim upward and pull the hook out. If that doesn't work, try the next approach.

The second option is to try to pull the hook out by force. You will need to think quickly and look around for a tree stump or a log or a rock or shell on the bottom. Then quickly dive toward it and swim in a circle around it so the angler's string wraps around the object. Once you are sure you have circled it, swim as hard and fast as you can away from the object. If you are a strong enough swimmer, you might pull the hook out of your mouth. It might hurt for a minute, and it will tear through your skin, but you will be free. Then for heaven's sake, remember what that hook looked like and don't bite another one.

The third technique, for those who can't bring themselves to do bodily harm to themselves, find something sharp, like a sharp edge on a log or a rock or a shell. Swim so that the string goes across the sharp part and pull hard away from the object. With luck, you will cut or break the string. You will still have the hook in your mouth, but you will have plenty of time to get help removing it.

STUDENT: Does it matter if we can see the angler?

INSTRUCTOR: Yes, Finney, it does matter. If you can see the angler, you know which direction to swim to relieve the tension on the hook. It's wonderful when you can see them but they can't see you. If you are very careful and you move very slowly, they might not know you bit the hook. The only way they can tell is if you pull against the string. If you keep moving toward them, you have more time to think about how to escape.

Anglers can learn important lessons from this peek inside fish school. First, fish just might not be as stupid as we think. Second, they are learning valuable techniques of hook avoidance and escape. Third, they can probably see you, even if you can't see them. These insights seem to indicate that choosing the right lure or fly is important. Fish management technique when you feel a nibble is also critical. But being invisible to the fish is also of vital importance.

It is not our place to presume to offer lure-selection advice or to school you in fishing technique. We can, however, suggest that successful anglers are learning from fish school that stealth fishing has its advantages. Wearing water camouflage clothing will make you as invisible to the fish as they are to you.

Stay tuned for Lesson #3 from a Fishy Education.

Rex Bledsoe is General Manager of Aqua Design® of Melba, Idaho. Aqua Design is the world leader in manufacturing water sport camouflage apparel. Their complete line of water camouflage includes fishing shirts, hats, pants and vests in five colors that duplicate the various fishing environments. For more information, visit http://www.aquadesign.com or call 208-495-2090.