Barometers measure the atmospheric pressure. It is used in forecasting the weather and the weather’s effect on the feeding behavior of fish. Ever wondered why the fish were biting so much yesterday, but there seems to be no interest today? It could be that a low pressure front is building. When the barometer is low and dropping it means a storm is present or on the way. When the barometer is high, the weather is fair and dry. An exception to this rule is when sitting on the river, under storm clouds, and a rain shower starts, this causes the barometer to rise. That is why the fishing is good after a rain.

Atmospheric pressure fluctuations affect the air bladder in the fish. When the barometer is low, the bite is off, as the fish will spend most of their efforts on equalizing their air bladder and pay less attention to eating. However, when the pressure is high the chances for catching fish are far greater. Fish will feed at the beginning of a storm and between the approaching fronts, or as the barometer rises and falls through the course of the day.

Some basic guidelines to using the barometer:

• Rising Barometer: Fishing is Best

• Rapidly Fluctuating: Indication of good fishing (regardless of fluctuating up or down).

• Static Barometer: Fishing is poor

• Falling Barometer: First part of fall is good fishing. After the fall continues for several hours, the more the it goes down the poorer fishing will be.

• Unusually Low Barometer: Don’t bother as there is no fishing.