Upstream preparation
A successful opening must also be prepared in advance. You need to gather as much information as possible, particularly from your AAPPMA or departmental federation. This will enable you to find the most accessible courses, those with the best reputation and those adapted to your level.
What's more, it's essential to find out about the water levels in the various rivers you wish to fish. To do this, you can consult the Vigicrue website, or even better, visit your fishing grounds the days before the opening date. Of course, you'll also need to take into account the weather conditions expected before D-day, to try and anticipate water levels, current strength and water color as accurately as possible.
Opening day
Opening day has finally arrived, and it's best to get there a few minutes before it does. Bear in mind that many passionate anglers, like you, impatiently await this time of year and are ready to be on the spot well before the required time. So be aware that, depending on the location you choose, you may not be alone on opening day!
Discretion required
Before heading out to your various fishing spots, remember to dress discreetly so as not to arouse the suspicion of the fish. What's more, when you have to move around, it's essential to remain as unobtrusive as possible. Avoid walking heavily, dropping stones or branches along the banks, and try to position yourself discreetly (behind a tree or bush) to make your casts.
The importance of color and water level
If there are two essential points to consider for a successful opening, they are the water level and the color of the water.
In most cases, water levels are fairly high on the opening day, so you'll want to focus on rim areas and areas with weaker currents, or even flat calm zones. If, on the other hand, water levels are rather low for the season, you'll be able to comb the whole river to prospect as much as possible and find the fish.
In the same way, the color of the water will affect your choice of bait or lures. If the water is tinted, choose earthworms as bait and fish with flashy-coloured lures. If the water remains clear, it's best to opt for bait fishing with a worm and choose lures with natural colors.
