Ultraviolet.

[Gander]

I'm seeing ultraviolet this and that everywhere. Does it really make a difference or is it a gimmick?

The last time I read up on Ultraviolet, the view was that it could be picked up by young (small) fish, but not mature ones. Any thoughts/comments?

[JRT]

Not sure about pellet pigs but for saltwater I avoid it at all costs. The trouble is some flash is subtle so you think it looks ok in the shop then you see it in sunlight and it flashes purple

There is a lot of assumption around what fish can and cannot see.

[Fishtales]

Some light reading

Phytoplankton Lab: Hydrologic Optics Primer

Phytoplankton Lab: Hydrologic Optics Primer

Colour Vision in Trout

The reason ultra violet is seen as purple in daylight is because of the light contamination by the other wavelengths. Under ultraviolet light or in very deep water it will 'shine' like a beacon.

[JRT]

All still based on 'our' eyesight Fishtales or theory with fish. Truth is no one knows for sure.

However this might be good for trout but I don't want my saltwater patterns to 'light up like a beacon' as I'm sure the bait doesn't do this.

[Fishtales]

Originally Posted by JRT

All still based on 'our' eyesight Fishtales or theory with fish. Truth is no one knows for sure.

However this might be good for trout but I don't want my saltwater patterns to 'light up like a beacon' as I'm sure the bait doesn't do this.

How Fish See and use UV rays to find bait fish

[Gander]

I asked Myriad to move this thread to Fly Tying, as I put it in Viewpoint accidentally.

[stevekale]

A key question might well be 'how often do you fly fish a fly at a depth of more than 15 feet?'

[Fishtales]

Using flies with uv materials early morning, just before sunrise, late in the evening, just after sunset, and during moonlight would make the UV glow too, even on the surface.

Fluorescent reds/oranges and yellow/greens glow better at sunrise and sunset if using them on flies, well to our eyes they do .

[danielp]

I am firmly in the camp of "not quite sure, probably cant see it and even if they could would it make a difference"

The link cited above is contradicted by lots of peer reviewed papers on the matter where the only evidence for UV vision used in feeding behaviour in trout was in juvenile fish and even then was fairly weak.

I would be very wary of the integrity of an article talking about UV vision in fish whilst trying to sell you a UV produfct for fishing, especially one called Fool-A-Fish lol.

Dan

[monkeyhanger]

I understand that young fish up to 2 years old have UV receptors in their retinas.

Stocky rainbows at 2 years old can weigh 4lbs. Therefore most of the stockies can see UV.

Use it sparingly as too much can scare the fish.

John H