Black Light

[Crosby]

What does anyone out there know about the color qualities or irradecense of fly tying materials? The rumor is that fish see colors as we would see them under a black light. Has anyone put a black light over thier fly tying bench? Some of the - what you would percieve as being the same color- materials may not actually be that. two items side by side and one may glow or shine and the other may not. Just thinking that may be of help with nymph tying materials. Any thoughts or experience with this??

[Ouzel]

That's one I have not heard (Black Light?). Fish have rods and cones in their eyes just as humans do. The color vision of fish is generally comparable to that of humans. They also have more rods (light gathering cells) and can see better in dim light. So do dogs , cats, horses, etc. But there is more to the story.
Water absorbs colors (light rays).
In most streams and rivers there is little affect as the light rays (color) are not dissiminated much until the water starts to get deeper then five (5) feet. Still water fishing is a different ballgame because of the deep water.
I think as long as your flies WET colors are the same as the natural insect you can stop worrying and concetrate on your presentation.

[Kevin Conlin]

I have no doubt that fish perceive a different color gamut than we do, and that two colors that appear identical to us may be quite different to a fish, but I don't think a black light will enable you to do anything other than determine if a material fluoresces. If fish can see some UV wavelengths, then it's the UV reflectivity of the material you're interested in, not the human-visible fluorescence, and what you need is a spectrophotometer that's sensitive to UV.

For those that are interested in such things, the mantis shrimps (stomatopods) have cones that peak at ten different wavelengths as opposed to our three, hence they are masters at color discrimination.

[Crosby]

Ouzel: You mean I can put the black light back in the Disco room and dance again?

[RAW]

And then there is the theory of TIR, total internal reflection. Sun penetrates the water, refracts and reflects back to the surface causing an underglare on the meniscus which effects what the fish sees or doesn't see in the surface film. Sometimes it gets so complex, I want to just not think about it and go fishing! ;)

[Ouzel]

You certainly may. Disco Room & Black Lights??? I know now not to consider you a "Junior Member"
I would also offer the suggestion that you find a copy(local library) of "Through The Fish's Eye", authored by Mark Sosin & John Clark. It is a Outdoor Life publication.
Mark Sosin is well known throughout the fishing industry for many years. John Clark (at writing) has many credits in fish studies and fisheries science only one of which is Wood's Hole Fisheries Laboratory.
It is only 250 pages of the best info. a fisherperson can use to better understand their quarry. After reading it I'm sure you will want to buy it as it is loaded with so much pertenant info. you will want it in your reference library.

[Crosby]

Ouzel----- 47- but it was the WHO, Stones and Little Feat that I listened to and still do. Thanks for the book info-- I have read many in that area. But Mark Sosin------ maybe knowledgable- but wouldn't be caught on the river with that boy---- Can't listen to him and he dresses funny. (<:

[Ouzel]

I agree. I watched a few shows (ESPN) where he was the host and did not care for the way he came across. Often a "known person" uses a "unknown scientific person" to help sell a book. There is still much valuable info. inside the book. We all have met/worked with people we did not care for but their tech. abilities were sound. I have even met girls who would fall into that catagory.

[walksinwater]

I drifted my hand held UV light over my flys and flytying material.

The only objects that fluoresced were two spools of thread, which were a chartruse and orange. A package of white turkey flats.

All other materials were inert.

[Crosby]

I'm beginning to think I built on an old Uranium site--- I have many materilas that glow-------- usually look at it after a home brew though.