An old adage
By Nick Simonson
This has been perhaps the windiest spring I can recall since I became a dedicated angler several decades ago. The scattered calm days seem to come at a rate of one in ten or so, but the balance of the spring has been dominated by gusty conditions and stretches where even when the wind shifts, it comes out of a new direction at an equally fevered pace, wasting little time in transition. Going through the motions of correcting a slow troll with the bow mount motor on the water, or bracing the steering wheel white-knuckled against the gusts while driving down the highway this season has reminded me of one of my favorite fisherman’s sayings and given me a reason to dive into it a little more. There are obviously some variations on it from region to region, but it generally goes like this:
Wind from the west, fish bite the best.
Wind from the south, hook goes in mouth.
Wind from the east, fish bite the least.
Wind from the north, don’t venture forth.
Taking the first half of the adage, which is obviously the more positive prediction for any angler setting up a weekend trip, west and south winds are historically favorable to anglers no matter the season. Both directions of wind suggest improving weather conditions or stable patterns. West winds often follow a high-pressure system and indicate that the disruption that often occurs on the front end of it is over and things are stabilizing. And while west winds can be strong, they often aren’t as severe as the gusty conditions that come on a northerly breeze, especially if they have a little southern angle mixed in. South winds too are a favorable forecast for anglers because they represent two positive factors particular to the upper Midwest: an influx of warmth and a potential shift in the weather behind them. Winds blowing from the south may not necessarily make the hook go in a fish’s mouth as the saying predicts, but the direction usually does bring with it warmer temperatures to the northern latitudes of North America, making it easier (or at least more comfortable) for anglers to get out on the water. Additionally, south winds often precede a low-pressure system, which is a noted trigger for fish activity.
