Let's talk rod color

Rods
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How much does rod color matter when it comes to not spooking fish? I’ve heard people say it makes a big difference and I’ve heard not so much. So what do you all think? Or maybe I don’t want to know what you “think” but what you know. I think the easy answer is that trout have supper color vision so of course it will matter. But what is the actual on stream data. Have you ever noticed a difference that you can attribute to the color of your rod? There are some colorful rods out there, Tanuki comes to mind, and certainly some of you use them.

Some thoughts.
*The aforementioned, fish have great color vision. *With a long line the fly is quite a distance away from the rod.* With that said, does color matter more with a short rod? *Does the water make a difference? Clear, murky, glassy surface, white water? *If you think rod color matters can you justify orange or pink line?

While I have heard it mentioned before, I never really gave it more thought. But as I have been debating the purchase of an Oni Coco it has me curious. It seems almost everyone that owns the rod has it in the blue. I can imagine the blue would blend into the sky on a clear day. Wanting to be different I am considering the pink. That’s what got me wondering if, on such a short rod, it would matter? My personal thoughts are that it won’t make that much difference since I never catch many fish anyway.

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I’ve fished many times with Luong Tam, he always wears bright orange and catches a lot of fish. He does stay low and move quietly both of which I think are more important than color.

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I don’t think it’s a big factor. I have the bright red Tenryu rods that I frequently enjoy fishing and a bunch of others that vary from black to green, etc. Overall spooking fish and staying stealthy is a big part of success, more so in some rivers than others.

Any rod of any color will spook fish if it’s over their heads. Birds aren’t brightly colored but against the sky the contrast and shape will be what the fish pick up and spook from. I think rods are similar in that the color doesn’t matter as much as just the presence and movement. Unless the rod doesn’t reflect the sun and is translucent so doesn’t create a shadow I don’t think the color makes a difference. The rods are almost always backlit and trout don’t see things the way we do or from the same angle and from under water.

I feel the more likely trigger that spooks them is my presence more than the line and rod, but all can factor in. Would be interesting to do more testing with a red vs a black rod, I just hate to burn a good spot to try it :wink:

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The visual acquity of trout is actually poor but they are sensitive to movement and changes of light. Trout are nearsighted…within inches.

I think we have touched on similar topics in this forum.

This series will change your worldview on trout. Very 70s in production value but the content is great. https://underwateroz.com/

A whole video on trout vision. Great stuff.

Some folk have noted the specular highlight or the shadow from the rod can spook fish. I believe this to be true. The oz series notes that in addition to eyes, trout have contrast sensitive receptors on the top of their heads. So a flash of light or shadow will spook trout.

Can rod color spook fish? Probably, but there are so many other errors we are making that spook fish that are much more critical.

The intimacy of tenkara and its proximity to trout makes it nearly impossible to not spook fish, but there are ways to tip the favor in our direction.

Stay low and/or hidden. Wearing camo cannot hurt or sky value shirts depending on emvironment.

Consider tenkara by definition as a high gradient stream application. Fast water with turbulence and visual distortion can hide us.

Low light hours, dark low contrast days, and stained water.

Keep quiet and careful of you footsteps.

The thing is, we cannot expect to not spook trout. It is inevitable. The thing to focus on is minimizing it and working on presentations to convert trout that might aware of us.

Trout are not singular in behavior. Just like people or other animals they can be cautious or bold in personality.

I often joke that I only catch the bold/curious fish.

I sort of believe that big fish arent more intelligent, but rather made it through the guantlet because they have always been timid and cautious at the right times. More of a convenient personality trait supporting their longevity.

When we are stealthy we are trying for the cautious trout. There are usually curious trout in the mix for those who blow their cover or decide they dont do stealth.

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Reflecting on tenkara and our obsession on not spooking fish.

If we consider traditional fly fisherman with heavy lines and larger movement in false casting. Then also consider that often they need to enter the stream to find open space to cast. They have a larger handicap than we do when it comes to spooking fish, yet can still be very effective.

Presentation is paramount and can overcome our other errors.

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…made it through the guntlet and now have the prime lies that are harder to reach