Do Fish Actually Bite Better In The Rain?

When the topic of fishing and rain are brought up together, I like to start with keeping it simple. First, fish prefer water and they are already wet.

Second, rainy days do not change their feeling about water in the least. And third, the darker skies that accompany rainy days generally make fish happy and they often party with their mouths open.

So, do fish actually bite better in the rain? I think so, but lets find out why exactly and learn how to capitalize in such conditions.

Rain Means Easy [Fish] Pickings

Do bugs hatch in the rain? Unfortunately for them, yes. Once their time has come, they will go off despite the conditions. Rain and damp weather makes it very hard for them to adjust from aquatic life to dry winged creatures. Many will float along on top, waiting for wings to dry. This may or may not happen, but in any event, they are like sitting ducks. The fish are not worried about a sporting chase.

When rain is falling, many surface struggling insects will drown and get swept back into the water from whence they emerged. This is why the fish will be partying with their mouths open. Easy snacking.

Need some flies for the eager fish? Stock up here.

In the Rainy Season, Fish are more Hormonal... Means more Aggressive

This time of year, there is another advantage to rain and cooler weather. Brown trout are getting hormonally charged. When water temps quickly drop a couple ticks, they get on the chomp. Now is the time to throw your big streamers again. As I write this, I’m chafing under the fact that I’m writing and not fishing.

Here's some tactics for high-water fishing.

Rainbow trout are also activated by the cooling waters of a rainy fall day. They realize the summertime, living-easy days are coming to a close. They can be rather greedy when it comes to packing on the calories before winter. If you know where some big rainbows are, this is the weather to chase them.

Do YOU fish in the rain?

Unlike bugs who have a terrible time and fish who are already wet, people generally don’t like weepy weather. Unless they are covered in Gore-Tex. If you want to join the party, we’ve got the outerwear you need to stay comfortable and be happy like the fish.

Make sure you stay warm and dry while out in the rain by having the proper outerwear.

This will allow you to take full advantage of the bug’s misfortune, the hormonal aggression of the browns and the greed of the rainbows.