So why are there so many veteran fly anglers that continue to dress like they are going to church wearing their Easter-egg-colored pastel shirts, pants and headwear? All the fly fishing techniques in the world will not result in a hook-up if that wary brown trout or skittish permit bolt off when they see a walking billboard heading their way.

In order to make that movie-like cast and picture-perfect presentation, getting close to those smart fish require stealth, patience and practical “skyward” camouflage that will put the odds in your favor.

Check out the video link below and see one of the best fly fishing techniques for yourself. If you can see the fish, the fish can see you.

Stay stealthy.

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[1] Fish when the barometric pressure is steady or rising. Avoid fishing when it is dropping.

[2] With a full moon, fish seem to feed at all hours (more light, more eating). So fishing without full moon will probably make your daytime angling more successful.

[3] Keep your hook sharpener handy. Lots of strikes don’t end up on the line because of dull hooks.

[4] Fish can be leader or monofilament shy. Better to use a smaller diameter line and get strikes rather than of refusals.

[5]  While on the subject of monofilament, it’s one of the least expensive tools in your fishing arsenal. Be sure to keep fresh line on-hand so you can land more fish without break offs.

[6] Keep a low profile when approaching your casting zone. The last thing feeding fish need to see is a walking billboard with rod in hand.

[7] Don’t forget about fishing shoreline edges. Many fish cruise the water’s edge while looking for terrestrial food.

[8] Take five minutes to read and watch the water before casting. You may be surprised what the fish will teach you about what, when and where they feed.

[9] Fishing etiquette may not impress the fish but may impress the guy that’s catching all the fish. Follow the Golden Rule and the angler with the bent rod will probably be nice enough to share a tip or two.

[10] Wear clothing that will allow you to blend in to nature from a skyward perspective. Like just about every creature in the water, you need to be camouflaged too.

Vision, ears and lateral lines are the greatest assets to any wary fish. If they see, smell or feel something is not normal, they will bolt out of harm faster than you can say “the big one got away.” So getting close is all about the approach and how surreptitious you are.

Vision
There is one complex built-in radar system that helps fish stay away from trouble and that is their eyes. It’s been said that the eye is the most complex device on earth and good reason to say so. If you can see the fish, the fish can see you. Due to eyes on both sides of the head (with the exception of a few species), fish can see in almost all directions except for blind spots in front and rear. Their eyes are classified as both binocular and monocular vision. Staying away from of their field of vision is best when approaching a nervous trout, bonefish or other species. Another strategy is to blend in to their skyward vision. In other words, from their refracted perspective, the more “natural” you look, the less they will suspect you are a predator. To see how you would look camouflaged from a skyward perspective, have a look at our fishing video featuring a furtive angler.

Ears and Lateral lines
Can fish hear? Definitely yes. Fish have inner ears although no openings (ears) as we would know them. If you’ve ever been watching fish from a boat and tapped the hull with an oar, you understand how well they can hear. Fish also hear with their lateral lines. Being audibly quiet when coming near water holding fish can be as important as a visually quiet approach.

Casting can be a challenge if you’re in an area of overgrown brush or trees. Or without lots of shoreline vegetation, some even resort to belly crawling to get close enough for that “all important” shot.

That’s why we highly suggest wearing camo headwear that can help conceal your approach (and save your neck from harmful UV sun rays at the same time). With the optional neck cape, the long bill Voyager Cap was designed by fishermen for fishermen. Lightweight, moisture wicking, functional and UV protected, this cap will help blend into the surroundings with its marbled design in four color options. The Voyager Boonie Hat is also angler-friendly down to the oval shape of the brim to give a bit more space for casting. Made from the same AquaPoly fabric, the Voyager Hat will help block your eyes from the sun and give you a stealthy advantage with those creek-side casts.

One other item in the camo arsenal is the new Voyager Fishing Bandana available in matching color options like the headwear.  Designed to cover your neck, face or head, you’ll not only be less visible by fish but better protected from the sun.

Creek fishing is rewarding but can be frustrating. Fishing while wearing Aqua Design will increase the odds in your favor.

So why is it that some anglers wearing colors that scream think they can’t be observed? Perhaps it’s because they’ve never been chased by a predator. Or perhaps it’s simply that they don’t realize that you shouldn’t been seen sea fishing. Whatever the reason, even the fish teach us that being undetected – and not seen -  is the best strategy.

So if you are wondering why we call Aqua Design fishing camouflage visually quiet fishing apparel, now you know. Using proprietary water photography, our design team created several stealthy color options that blend angler into nature… very quietly.

Tight lines!

Whether it’s camo clothing or camo vehicles, the sheer volume of camouflage options for hunting is at an all-time high with good reason – concealment is a proven method to increase the success rate of a hunter. However, it’s been a different story for anglers.

Up until now, most fishermen, quite frankly, have looked like walking billboards when out on the water. Bright pastels and neon shades are often the colors of choice. Their clothing, typically comprised of bold, solid colors or white, screams to fish “I’m right here… what you see from underwater is not natural… and I’m coming to prey upon you.” And when your predators come from the sky, as well as underwater, there’s good reason to be concerned with what is happening above the surface. Anglers need camo too.

That’s why the team at Aqua Design have worked for over 13 years, perfecting patterns and functionality of technical fishing apparel. Using actual underwater photos (from the fish’s perspective), the marbled colors blend into the background of whatever the environment calls for – sunny / shallow water (Sky Blue), overcast / rainy (Overcast), forest and woodlands (Willow Green), desert and rocky (Sand), and deep water / ocean (Bahama Blue).

Every fishing shirt, vest, pant, hat, and cap is designed by fishermen for fishermen. Functionality, comfort and sun protection are foremost considerations designed into each and every product.

Finally, anglers have an option when it comes to being stealthy on the water.