Another Question!

[Mathew Blakeway]

This morning when I went fishing I could see 3 bass swimming around so I cast/dropped my fly right in front of it. They went towards, but then just ignored it! I tried again and again, but nothing. Was my retrieve wrong?

Does mean my fly was wrong? Or that my presentation was wrong? or was it that the bass weren't hungry?

[Keith Ritter]

I've never had luck sight fishing for bass. My Dad always told me if you can see them they can see you.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

This was my exact thinking.

Is your water is low and clear? If so the fish are nervous, then you loom over head and spook them even more.

[Mathew Blakeway]

The water is low and clear, but they didn't look scared, I watched them for 30 minutes swimming up and down. I think that maybe my fly was too small.

[chris kowaleski]

This happens to me pretty often, because where I live the water is very clear. But I also fish a heavily fished stretch of water so the big fish have been around the block so to speak. I usually chalk it up to them not being hungry/too late in the day. But it could also very well be that the fly didn't fully appeal to them. They usually go after flies that look like they're swimming.

What kind of fly was it?

[Mathew Blakeway]

I was fishing in my own pond, which doesn't get fished very often. The water was very clear. I used a Woolly Bugger.

[carl hendrix]

 try casting past them - then a retrieve. some times - if  you cast right to them - it spooks them. go past; retrieve  your fly. and sometimes  they just want to look. this can tell you;; a different color; or a different type of retrieve. some times they want it fast; other times ; real slow.  its a guessing game with bass!  stick with blue gill!!

[Mathew Blakeway]

The silly bass scared the BG away!

[Vince Fusco]

Great answers everyone. I agree with Carl, as all fish will hit a bait for a couple of reasons. These can be grouped in two catagories, either they are hungry, or as a reaction to something invading their territories. If the fish are not spooking, and do not seem to want your offerings, try a different retrieve and or fly to encourage a reaction strike. This can be seen when gills or bass are on bed, and they will strike, or pick up the bait to remove the threat to their nest. The same concept holds true the rest of the year as well. You are on the right track Mathew. Good luck on fooling these bass.