Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 55

photos-Christian A. Shane

Get close

Crouching, kneeling, or hunching over like a great blue heron provides a lower profile
over the fishing pool and alerts less fish.

Wade carefully

photo-John D. Bauman

The approach to the water is crucial to either having a
great day or a mediocre day of fishing. Many anglers rush
to their spots before planning out their path. The great blue
heron moves with precision-footing, calculation, and focus.
Before even stepping near the water, ask yourself, "What is my
best route to the best fishing?" Then, take short, careful, and
calculated steps like the heron to get to that location. Make
some casts, and fish your way out as you head to the final
destination. You may be surprised to find fish shallower or in
a different spot than you thought fish would be holding. In
deeper water, sometimes having a wading staff also assists the
angler to measure the depth and move carefully as they step.

The great blue heron is
notorious for standing among
and over its quarry. When wading
or fishing from the shoreline, it
is advantageous for the angler to
get as close to the fish as possible
without disturbing the water. This
allows for a good cast, presentation,
and hookset throughout the
entire fishing process. More
problems occur when the angler
is further from the fish such as
false presentations, unruly line,
missed hooksets, and more debris
obstructions and tangles. Crouching
down or kneeling is also a necessary
skill for the angler to utilize when
fish are in shallow water situations.

Take breaks

Once in a while, take a break from fishing, and let the
pool cool down. A heron's patience and stillness sometimes
pays off as another feeding opportunity. As anglers, it is
good to set the rod down, enjoy the sights, and let the fish
acclimate and feel comfortable to feed again. Use this time
to recheck knots, retie a lure or fly, eat lunch, or watch and
listen to nature. You may be surprised by something you
have never noticed before such as wildlife, flora, or bug life.

Know when to strike

A great blue heron takes the perfect opportunity to strike
at prey using lightning speed and its dagger-like bills. Yes,
sometimes herons miss, but sometimes great blue herons
are accurate. Making that hookset at the right time comes
with understanding where you think the best chance at
a strike is during your drift or retrieval. Many times, the
strike zone will be where your fly, bait, or lure is the deepest
and most vulnerable. Sometimes, this also comes at the end
of your drift or a cast when it lifts from the stream bottom.
Incorporate these great blue heron tips into your fall
fishing arsenal, and keep an eye out for these feathered
anglers on the water.

More Great Blue Heron Information		
		Pennsylvania Game Commission - Field Notes
		www.pgc.pa.gov/Education/WildlifeNotesIndex/Documents/herons.pdf

Great blue herons are patient and still
when wading and fishing.
www.fishandboat.com 		

		 Audubon Society
		www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-blue-heron
	
		 The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
		www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/lifehistory

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2020

55

http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Education/WildlifeNotesIndex/Documents/herons.pdf http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-blue-heron http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/lifehistory http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020