rainy days and fishing?

So my question is just for everyone. SOmething fun or maybe someone has some real facts on this subject.
I was wondering what kind of effects the rain has on all species of fish? Do they think its food and rise to the top or are they generally scared of rain and stay deep. Or does it matter. Its raining outside and surveyors melt in the rain so im stuck in the office.

Hmm.  I never thought about it, and it's actually an interesting question; they kind we ask when...it's too rainy to go fishing!   

I wouldn't mind "fishin' in the rain" (a new musical) but it's so darn...wet.  Not for my physical comfort, but just for all the equipment to dry out when I get home.   Obviously I'm not built of "Tote material".

When I get my new diving wetsuit I'll definitely consider diving in the rain though, to keep my water-loving sanity.  Or insanity, ATCMB.

So surveyors actually melt in the rain?  'Sounds rather gruesome.   -Matt

If I didn't fish when it rained I'd never fish. IMO fish don't mind a little "texture" on the surface from the rain. It mutes out a lot of sounds that might spook them. Also w/ the cloud cover the temps are cooler and fish won't go so deep. So I guess it can help a little. But once the wind kicks up and it gets stormy I think it's the opposite and fish hunker down.

Z

 I have witnessed a dead bite bust wide open when rain rolls through. This is common in sierra streams.
last year at robinson creek we were catching only planter bows until a storm rolled in, then the browns came out from under their logs for panthermartins. BIG john shirk got the fish of the storm.

If I didn't fish when it rained I'd never fish.

Good point Z, and I'll take some inspiration from you on that.  I complain about the rain in NorCal and then I look at Seattle, and realize I'm being a woos.  If I had a campershell where I could change and keep some things dry, I'd probably enjoy fishin' in the rain.  It's like when I complained to my sister in Maryland last week about the 30 degree "cold" here and she said "Right. Try a constant 12 degrees, you warm lucky dog".    -Matt

I heard that barometric pressure affect fishing, but rain!?  maybe, some species like it some species don't?
I don't fish in rain too much either because if I don't catch fish I get sadder than normal...

I don't fish in rain too much either because if I don't catch fish I get sadder than normal...

Yeah but last time you fished in the rain you slayed! I think you should change your strategy and ONLY fish in the rain.

Z

Most of my experience fishing in the rain has been for trout, and just like the earlier post, when the rain comes through the fish tend to bite more. It's a sheer guess on my part, but my theory is that between the noise and disturbance on the surface, the fish feel a little safer moving around and are more willing to strike. Perhaps it's been the fish's experience that osprey and other birds don't attack when it's raining and that contributes to their secure feeling? 

Either way, if I'm near trout water and it's raining, I'll always cast a line. 

I always figured they like rain...  isn't it like a breath of fresh air for them?  Especially lakes where water doesn't move around much, rain must be so refreshing for them.

I love fishing in the rain...  fewer people about, for one thing.

I love being out in the rain,,, period.  Now maybe I know why.

...  fewer people about, for one thing.

Spend the money, go for the real thing, Gore-Tex,

Not an ad for Gore-tex, just my experience,

IMO nothing beats standing waist deep in the water casting into a riffle when it is DUMPING rain as long as I am totally dressed for it. Something about being surrounded by chaos yet being totally at ease really appeals to me. Plus I usually have the river to myself. 

IMO nothing beats standing waist deep in the water casting into a riffle when it is DUMPING rain as long as I am totally dressed for it. Something about being surrounded by chaos yet being totally at ease really appeals to me. Plus I usually have the river to myself. 

Ditto I luv it too.

IMO nothing beats standing waist deep in the water casting into a riffle when it is DUMPING rain as long as I am totally dressed for it. Something about being surrounded by chaos yet being totally at ease really appeals to me. Plus I usually have the river to myself. 

HELLS YEAH!

Z

IMO nothing beats standing waist deep in the water casting into a riffle when it is DUMPING rain as long as I am totally dressed for it. Something about being surrounded by chaos yet being totally at ease really appeals to me. Plus I usually have the river to myself. 

HELLS YEAH!

Z

Z, do you forget where you live?  A little rain may mean you have the river to yourself in California, but up here in the North West where we both live.. not so much.

Hmm, Raindrops hitting the surface are going to add to the dissolved oxygen in the water, which I would think increases the activity of the fish.  Add that the noise covers up my disturbance and it sounds like a winning combo.  And the shift in barometric pressure, either as a result of the rain or a cause of the rain, is a factor also.  Plus that Irish coffee or bota bag of goldschlaeger taste so good in the rain.